Covenant Yields Inheritance Yields Calling (1)

 

Covenant Yields Inheritance Yields Calling (1) - Covenant Part 3 of 4

Are you aware that there’s a calling on your life? If not, I hope this post will encourage you to consider it. And if you are aware, I hope it will inspire you to stay on track. 

As for me, for many years I was unaware that I was called to teach. But from childhood, I had a passion to teach. As a little girl I would line up my dolls and stuffed animals in my make-shift classroom and teach them. I don’t remember what I taught but I was certainly their teacher.

At age twelve, I taught swimming lessons at our city pool. I loved it and the pool manager loved it because since I was too young to be certified, he didn’t have to pay me. I would teach the children according to the Red Cross regulations and administer the swim test at the end of the week. A certified swim instructor would then sigh their Red Cross Swim Certificates. As soon as I was eligible, at age sixteen, I got my lifeguard credentials and worked as a lifeguard off and on through college.

Throughout my youth my passion was to be a teacher, though I didn’t recognize it as God’s calling until many years later. Eventually I became a teacher in public schools. In addition, I taught children and adults at church, lead Bible studies, and even cooking classes for adults and young children. I also wrote curriculum for secular and biblical education. To this day I love teaching and writing Bible oriented study material.

I now know that God has called me to be a teacher and to write for Him. It was He who put that desire in my heart. Because I’m in covenant relationship with Him, He has guided me along the way to walk in this calling according to His plan for me. It’s a large part of who He created me to be. Had I not been in relationship with Him, I would probably have still been a teacher but likely not have been as effective in loving and impacting my middle school students.

Occasionally, a former student tells me he or she appreciates something I taught them in my middle school Teen Living (home economics) class. When this happens, I’m overjoyed and grateful.

About a year ago a former student and I began following each other on Instagram. Through sharing life via this social media, I have learned that he is a police officer and, on the side, is also a preacher and a caterer, specializing in barbeque. A couple of weeks ago I made a comment on his post about the great looking BBQ meal he had prepared for a wedding reception. My comment was, “Yum!”

His kind response back to me brought tears to my eyes. He said, “I learned some things back in the day. Thank you for a positive impact on my life.”

If my impact on his life has had anything at all to do with what he is doing with his life today, then I’m overwhelmed with praises to God.

When we walk in our God ordained calling only God knows the extent of the impact our lives will have on others. And some of those influences are of eternal consequence.    

When does it happen that God declares a calling on a person’s life?

A beautiful psalm of David gives insight into that. In Psalm 139 he extols the glorious creation of a human being, declaring that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (verse 14). He goes on to say, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them” (Psalm 139:16-17 NKJV*).

Photo by Connie Wohlford

Let’s look back at covenant, from my post of October 26, 2020. I shared Chuck Pierce’s definition: “an endless partnership or solemn and binding agreement between two or more parties. 

Covenant with God provides a commitment to a relationship that allows His purpose for us to be fulfilled.” ** 

Then in my post of November 1, 2020, I pointed out that when we enter into covenant with God, we’re bequeathed an eternal inheritance. One facet of our inheritance is the plan and purpose He ordains for each of us. Within that is our calling. And as we walk out our calling we step through the door that leads to the abundant life God desires to give each of us.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b). Notice He said, “may have.” He did not say “will have.”

One who does not follow the leading of God and answer His call will not realize their highest potential nor live out the best life God wanted for them. That doesn’t mean they cannot have a good life. It means they will not have the best life in the fullest of abundance that God planned for them.

So, what is your passion? Perhaps the thing you love to do was placed inside you by your Creator.

What is it that strikes a chord in your spirit and releases a yearning to do, or help, or accomplish something?

We can be assured that God’s desire and plan is that we use our giftings and passions to glorify Him and to achieve our part in the building of His kingdom. This does not necessarily just happen. Circumstances don’t automatically fall into place. We need open to our spiritual eyes and seek God for the answers to our questions about our calling—His plan. 

It is amazing—supernatural—how our Heavenly Father loves us so much He wants a covenant relationship with each of us. After all, we’re each created in His own image. (Genesis 1:27) And interwoven into that eternal covenant He incorporates an individualized inheritance which contains a multifaceted plan and purpose—a calling.

Let’s pray: Father, how amazing that You are so concerned for my well-being that You plan out a wonderful abundant life for me! Thank You, Lord. Please help me to lean into that calling with everything that is in me. Show me, with clarity, what you desire for me to do and be, and help me to have the courage, strength, and will to walk in it daily. I will leave the outcomes to You. For I know that will be good. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

 

* All Scripture quotes are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

**Possessing Your Inheritance, by Chuck D. Pierce and Rebecca Wagner Sytsema; Chosen Books, Baker Publishing Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 2009; page 119.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Covenant Yields Inheritance (Covenant Part 2)

 Covenant Yields Inheritance (Covenant Part 2)       

Have you ever received an inheritance of material things? Not everyone does. But if you have it was probably a great blessing.

I have been the recipient of inheritance and it truly blessed my family and me. Why did something choose to bequeath worldly goods to me? Because they loved me.

Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to give each of us an inheritance—an eternal inheritance. Indeed, He wants to supply us with things to meet our earthly needs, but His idea of inheritance is far greater than that. In order to receive the inheritance set aside for each of us we must enter into a covenant relationship with our Creator, Yahweh. (Yahweh is the Hebrew name of God.)

It’s through faith in Jesus that we do this. We then become God’s own children and joint heirs with Jesus. (Romans 8:17) As His children, we qualify to receive a magnificent, out of this world, inheritance, both on earth—abundant life—and an eternal home after we die.

Any covenant God enters into is forever and HIs eternal covenants yield eternal inheritance. I touched on this truth in my previous post. I hope you’ll read it if you haven’t.

The Apostle Peter encourages us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible [will not perish] and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV*). 

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b). That is fullness of life on earth and eternal life in Heaven.

Photo by Connie Wohlford 

A few of the promises we inherit are: forgiveness of sin, thus removing it’s penalty (Ephesians 1:7-8); promise of provision of earthly needs (2 Peter 1:3); peace in all situations (John 14:27); the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16); for each of us, God’s purpose and a calling (1 Timothy 1:9); nothing can separate us from God (Romans 8:38-39); we will each have a perfect glorified body fit for eternal life (Philippians 3:21); assurance of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus as members of God’s own family (John 6:47).

I have named only a few of the wondrous things that are part of our eternal inheritance from our Father God. The list is endless. As we read and study God’s Word we learn more of the depth and breadth of His unfailing love and all He wants to bequeath to His own.

Please take a moment and meditate on each of the above promises in our inheritance. Write down more as you think of them.

Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, You are so good to us and we don’t deserve the marvelous things You choose give. You know our every breath and our every need even before it arises. Father, we are so grateful. Thank You for providing with an open hand of love and mercy. We love You, Lord. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

*** All Scripture quotes are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Covenant or Contract

 Covenant or Contract                                        

What is the difference between a contract and a covenant? Some say they’re the same, but they’re not, especially when God is involved.

“A covenant, in the biblical sense, implies much more than a contract. … A contract always has an end date, while a covenant is a permanent arrangement. Another difference is that a contract generally involves only one part of a person, such as a skill, while a covenant covers a person’s total being.” * 

Chuck Pierce defines covenant as “an endless partnership or solemn and binding agreement between two or more parties. Covenant with God provides a commitment to a relationship that allows His purpose for us to be fulfilled.” ** 

Consider this: When we purchase a car, we agree to a contract. When we get married, we enter into a covenant. Big difference.

We can be confident that any covenant of God is initiated by God Himself. Some of the most famous God ordained covenants are: God’s covenant with Noah, (Genesis 9:11); God’s covenant with Abraham, (Genesis 15:18); and God’s covenant with Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 19-24).

God will always uphold His end of a covenant. He keeps promises. On the other hand, people sometimes fail to hold up their end.

People enter into covenants with other people as in the example of marriage. Sadly, not all marriage covenants are upheld. A good example of a human covenant which was honored by both parties is the friendship between Jonathan and David. This kind of loyal friendship is not easy to come by. Even after Johnathan died, David honored his friend by caring for Jonathan’s handicapped son, Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 9)

When we become born-again followers of Jesus, we enter into an eternal covenant with our Creator. We receive and are consecrated into what Jeremiah prophesied would be the New Covenant.

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. … I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. … For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:31-34 NKJV). ***   

It was through the death of God’s own Son, Jesus, with the shedding of His blood that the New Covenant was given to Mankind. Through God’s covenant with Moses and the Israelites man’s sins could be covered over through the sacrificial shedding of the blood of animals. But now, through the shedding of the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, our sins are completely removed. Besides that, Jesus takes away the accompanying guilt and shame. We are made clean and made new just as if we had never committed the sins at all. We are born-again.

“For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:13-15).

It is by faith that we enter into this eternal covenant with our Creator. He offers it and we choose to receive it or not. When we say “yes” to God’s offer, we have the opportunity to receive our eternal inheritance. “What is that?” you may ask. Please see my next post to learn about it.

“Therefore know that the Lord Your God, His God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Let us pray: Father, we can never thank You enough for providing Your New Covenant to us, a free gift we receive by faith. Because of your great love, mercy, and grace, You have given Jesus, the divine Mediator of this better covenant. By Your Spirit, help us to have the will and strength to follow Your lead into the divine inheritance so that Your purpose in each of us will be fulfilled. What a wonderful adventure You provide! In Jesus name we pray, amen.

*New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishing, page 306.

**Possessing Your Inheritance, by Chuck D. Pierce and Rebecca Wagner Sytsema; Chosen Books, Baker Publishing Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 2009; page 119.

*** All Scripture quotes are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

The Good vs. The Best

The Good vs. The Best                                           

Do you know the difference between what’s good and what’s best?

I drew a beautiful home design for our family. The layout was great and it had lots of windows. My parents were excited about the prospects of our building our new home on the hill above theirs.

The big obstacle was heightened interest rates at that time. The idea of selling our current house and building a new one just wasn’t practical. After prayer and counting the costs, we decided to hold off on such a project.

A few years later, my husband and I decided that the time had come for me to leave teaching and embark on a new career. After much prayer and preparation, I was ready to launch my own log home business, representing a company owned by friends.

The hill behind my parents was not a preferred location for our new log home. God had a plan greater than our own and we found land which better suited our needs and was only about a quarter of a mile from my parents. Then to add to the beauty of our story, when our son retired from the military a few years later, he and his wife built a home on that hill above my parents’ which, of course, thrilled my folks.   

Photo by Connie Wohlford

King David wanted to embark on a grand building project. He yearned to build a magnificent house for God. A man after God’s own heart, he loved his Heavenly Father deeply and wanted to honor Him in a grandiose way. 

We find the account in 2 Samuel 7. David said to Nathan the prophet, “’See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent and curtains’

“Then Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you’” (2 Samuel 7:2b-3 NKJV*).

Without inquiring of the Lord, Nathan responded prematurely to David. The idea sounded great and Nathan basically said, “Sure. Go for it.” But this was out of God’s plan and He set Nathan straight that very night.

“But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, ‘Go and tell My servant, David, “Thus says the LORD: would you build a house for Me to dwell in?’” (2 Samuel 7:5). He went on to tell him that He had moved about in a tent all along and had never asked David to build Him a house.

Then God made a covenant with David, moving from the good to the best.

“Now therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of Hosts: ‘I took you out from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth.

“’Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house.

“’When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever’” (verses 8-13).

The covenant blessing continues through verse 16, ending with, “’Your throne shall be established forever.’”

Awestruck and overwhelmed with gratitude, David sat before the Lord and said, “’ Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord GOD; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come. … Fort there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

“’And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name—and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land—before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods?

“’For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God. …

“’So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, “The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel. And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. … Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever”’” (2 Samuel 7:18b-29).

Here God made an eternal covenant with David, that his seed would be on the throne of God’s people forever. Centuries before, prophets had proclaimed that Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah. David was from the tribe of Judah and twenty-eight generations later after him, Jesus took His seat on the eternal throne at the right hand of Father God.

Ultimately, David’s son, Solomon, built a magnificent temple—the dwelling place for God. This was God’s plan, not the plan of a man.

Let’s be assured that God knows best in all situations. He knows what lays ahead, down every path, and around every bend. When he steps in with correction, whether redirecting or plan or helping us come to repentance for a sin, we can be confident that it’s because of His unfailing love for us, He always has our best interest in His mind and in His heart.

Like David, when God corrects us, lets worship Him and extol His greatness. 

Let’s pray: Father God, thank You, that You always know what’s best for me and that You love me so much You’re willing to step in and correct me when needed. I love You and am forever grateful. In Jesus wondrous name—Amen.

In comments below, feel free to share about a time when God corrected or redirected you.

*All Bible quotes are taken from the New King James Version.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

God Never Gives Up

God Never Gives Up

Have you ever given up on someone?

Have you declared, “Oh, I give up!”?

Has someone said to you, “You’ll never change!”?

This week I watched God show that He never gives up on people. No matter the sin; no matter the darkness; no matter the misery one chooses for oneself, God will relentlessly pursue people.

A dear man, whom I’ve known all my life, passed into Eternity earlier this week. In the days leading up to his death I sat or stood by his hospital bed along with his wife, mother, and sister.

Just hours before his death, tears trickled down my cheeks as I watched and listened to him struggle to muster enough strength to tell his 90 year old mother he was sorry for the years of worry, anguish, and sorrow he had caused her. He could barely say, “I’m sorry.”

She assured him that she had never stopped loving him and had never stopped praying for him. God heard every prayer and every heart cry.

This once young, tall, and very handsome man now lay in a weakened body, ravaged by years of fast living, abuse, and addiction.

This once brilliant mind now turned his thoughts to regret, sorrow, and yes−repentance.

That word, repentance, is the operative word in his situation. In recent years, as his body was failing, this man saw that his end was not far off. He turned his heart back to his Heavenly Father.

And God was there. He’d been there all along—always in relentless pursuit because He wants none to parish in an eternity of torment and hopelessness.

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NRSV

The morning after the small memorial, as I prayed for the family and his three scattered adult children, God gently reminded me that He never gives up on people. He had never given up on this man and He will not give up on the children who hardly knew their father.

Have you ever feared that God has given up on you? Or, have you feared He has given up on someone you love? That fear is groundless in light of God’s Promises and Covenants.

Don’t give up. Know that God hears your prayers and sees your tears. As long as there’s life, there’s hope. HOPE for redemption. That’s our other operative word—Redemption.

Jesus’ work on the cross canceled the debt of sin for anyone who would believe and receive Him. We each owed a debt we couldn’t pay SO Jesus paid that debt He didn’t owe−thus REDEMPTION. We only need to believe and receive.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17



Photo by Elijah Hail

Like the prodigal son Jesus spoke of in Luke 15, God, the Father is watching for the run-away to return and for the lost to be found.

If you’re the prodigal, don’t delay another moment. Don’t cause another tear to run down the cheek of your anguished loved one.

Turn to your Heavenly Father. He has not given up on you. He’s not mad at you. His love is never-ending and ever-reaching. Talk to Him now.

 

©Connie Wohlford