Friday February 16, 2024

Today is Friday, February 16 and we are studying what the Bible says about inheritance.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe deeply and slowly and focus myself entirely upon God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord God, thank you for loving me. I am grateful that you are always near and communicate with me throughout the day. Help me slow down and seek your voice in my life. Teach me about the inheritance I have through Jesus Christ and show me how I can leave a legacy in the life of others. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s blessings and praise his goodness with the words of Psalm 105.

He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations. Psalm 105:7-8

Pause and Pray

The Gospel promises that I am an heir of God and a fellow heir with Christ. That is good news. I have a promised inheritance. As I face the pleasures and pains of what remains of my life here on earth, I can hope for something wonderful beyond this worldly existence. I have a hope beyond this life that makes the present pleasures less impressive and the present pains more manageable. That is what Paul had. He wants me to have it too. Paul invites me to share this tremendous hope – my inheritance is so great that it makes every trouble in life seem small by comparison.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17

The Holy Spirit is the one who leads and guides my life. I am a beloved child of God. The Holy Spirit does not treat me as a prisoner, puppet, or slave. I am not to live in fear of failure or retribution. The Holy Spirit treats me as a beloved child, an adopted son or daughter, and an heir to a mighty inheritance. I have a good, good father. A Father who is in heaven. I can cry out to him and call his name at any time, “Abba – Daddy.” The Holy Spirit speaks to my soul and confirms my adoption and my inheritance. Even though there will continue to be struggles, sorrow and suffering in this life, there will also be abundant joy, love, peace and celebration.

Ask: How does my perspective on life change when I consider my place as God’s beloved child? How might earthly pleasures diminish and worldly suffering fade in the face of my Godly inheritance?

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, whisper truth to my soul and tell me of God’s great love. Remind me that I am a child of God and teach me what that means as I go through the course of my day. I am no longer a slave to sin and death, there is nothing in this life I need to fear. I have been adopted and brought near. As a child calls out for their father, I cry out to Abba, my heavenly Father. I am an heir to the kingdom and rejoice in the glory of Christ Jesus my Lord. I read the words from Romans again and listen for the message you have for me.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Whatever God wants to reveal to my soul this morning, I listen intently through the intervention of God’s Holy Spirit. I consider the emotions this passage evokes in me. Do I feel energy, anticipation and excitement or do I feel the opposite? I consider a particular situation in my life with which I am currently struggling. How does my perspective change knowing I am a son/daughter of God and an heir to the kingdom of God? Perhaps God wants me to know of his vast, unconditional and limitless love for me. Maybe God wants to remind me of my place in his kingdom. How does this knowledge change the way I think, act or approach my day?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, speak your love over my sorry soul. Strengthen my weakness, remove my fears, comfort my worries, ease my anxiety, comfort my loneliness and teach me what it means to live as an heir to the kingdom of God. Let me live as a child of the light bearing an inheritance of salvation and living a life of love. Amen.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:28-29

I leave this time of prayer blessed by the love of God, I go to share the blessing of his love with everyone I meet.

Amen