Inheritance: December 29, 2011

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 29, 2011

INHERITANCE

DEFINITION:

Acquire by gift or succession, something such as property, a title, or a right received as an heir.

SCRIPTURE:

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Did you know that you are an heir to unimaginable wealth that will never go away? If you believe in Jesus Christ and have accepted Jesus as your Savior you are known as a child of God. God has for His children an inheritance reserved for us in heaven.

Do you need to be reminded that here on this earth He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (as the old song says). And He has in heaven reserved for us an inheritance far beyond what our minds can comprehend here on earth. In the verse above He says that we have already obtained our inheritance.

Our divine inheritance is so certain that it is as if we have already received it. It is certain because it was sovereignly determined by God’s will and guaranteed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the will of God that every one of us, no matter how vile a sinner, might be made righteous by believing in Christ and receive the inheritance God has prepared for us.

In I Peter 1:4, Peter tells us that if we belong to Christ, we are one of His children and our inheritance is incorruptible and undefiled and does not fade away and reserved for us in heaven. No one can take our inheritance from us because God has guaranteed it by sealing us with His Holy Spirit of promise.

Naturally, we all want to know what we are going to inherit. Much of our inheritance is far beyond our human comprehension but the scripture gives us a few hints. Part of our inheritance will be the transformation of our body and soul. We will be conformed to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29 and I John 3:2). Our weak perishable bodies will be changed into strong, glorious ones that are free from sin and death. Not only will we live forever and forever, but we will live in the glorious presence of our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Ephesians 2:7 we are told that God will show us “the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” As we live our days on this earth let us show love and gratitude to our Father for such amazing goodness. Let us devote each day of our lives to living for Him.

In just three days it will be a New Year. With the coming of a New Year many people consider making NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS. What better resolution can we make than to show our love and gratitude to our Father in heaven for His amazing goodness to us by serving Him.

Making the words of Colossians 3:23-24 a part of our daily life is a good New Year resolution. “Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto man; knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord.”

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 22:9.

He who has a generous eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for the inheritance You have stored up for me in heaven. Help me to daily show my love and gratitude to You for Your amazing goodness to me.