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

Be Humble – Be Valiant: 7 Keys to Casting Cares

Be Humble – Be Valiant: 7 Keys to Casting Cares

1 Peter 5:6-7

 

Given the facts of who God is versus who we are we have no grounds for argument against humbling ourselves before our Maker. (Please see my previous post, "Me vs. God.")

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV). 

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker—an earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?” (Isaiah 45:9 NASV).    

As we continue in humility before God, He will exalt us when the time is right. Now, wouldn’t you rather be elevated by God Himself when the time is divine according to His unquestionable wisdom than strive to raise yourself up in an artificial or self-serving manner? I certainly would.

Have I always restrained myself? No. And this has led me into some embarrassing moments. “God, please help me to wait on you and allow You to elevate me in due time, because You are all knowing and wise beyond my imagination. In Jesus name—Amen.”

 

In God’s divine time He will make you shine.

I’m not saying I have some burning desire to stand out as a shining star—that’s uncomfortable. But I do have some things to say which I believe will help others.

Meanwhile, Peter calls us to cast our cares onto God, “casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). “Cast your cares on Him,” is one of the most quoted truths of the Bible. I say it often and am comforted by adding the second part of the verse, “for He cares for you.” Is this a verse you often quote?

What comes to mind when you think of cares? We probably think of worries, trials, burdens, anxieties, etc. 

The word, care in Greek is merimna, from the root word, meiro, which means “to divide.” The literal meaning is “to be anxious beforehand about daily life,”*  

Woah! Does this not describe the way we go through some days? For some people this describes their every day. It’s no wonder so many people suffer from various psychosomatic disorders. 

It’s imperative that we know deep in our knower that God cares for each of us. To be reassured of that truth read Psalm 23 and meditate on each line. 

Before moving to the next passage lets spotlight the phrase, “under the mighty hand of God.” There is no limit to the mighty hand of God.  We, as mere humans, are clueless of the power contained therein. The hand of God is mentioned at least 1265 times in the Bible, according to BibleGateway.com.

One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 48:12-13. “’Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth. And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand up together.’” 

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6a).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV). 

This passage is clear-cut with instruction and warning, but let’s expand it a little with the Amplifies version. “Be well-balanced—temperate, sober-minded; be vigilant and cautious at all times, for that enemy of yours the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset], rooted, established, strong, immovable and determined—knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) through the world.”

In these verses (6-9) Peter gives Seven Keys to Casting Cares and trials we face as we navigate this fallen world:

1-   Live humbly before God.

2-   Cast your cares on God being confident that He cares for you. 

3-   Be sober-minded and self-controlled. 

4-   Be vigilant—constantly watchful—alert to the tricks, traps, and triggers of the devil. 

5-   Resist the devil, withstanding his every attack, scheme, and temptation.

6-   Be steadfast in faith, careful not to let down this shield, as it is your first line of defense. Our shield of faith guards you and deflects Satan’s flaming arrows. (Ephesians 6:16) 

7-   Be aware that other followers of Jesus face trials, persecutions, and temptations just as you do. All are in the same boat so need not develop a victim mentality and be waylaid by self-pity or false humility.

If we take to heart Peter’s counsel we will better understand things that are happening to and around us. We won’t be shocked by evil doers and illogical craziness that goes on in the world. 

We can go through our days, mindful of God’s minute by minute involvement in our lives. His Holy Spirit is reliable in us to help us valiantly do the work we’re called to do as warriors in God’s army. He’s well able to arm us as we assist Him in equipping the saints and building His Eternal Kingdom alongside our King Jesus. 

Thank you, Father God, for Your steadfast love, Your Mighty Hand, and Your abundant provision. In Jesus name—Amen. 

©Copyright 2018 Connie Wohlford

*Word Wealth for 1 Peter 5:7, Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, page 1915.

The Stones Are Alive <> 1 Peter 2:4-5

The Stones Are Alive                          

1 Peter 2:4-5

One by one they placed a stone onto the grave of Oskar Schindler. Who were these people and why were they doing this? It was a solemn moment and there were few dry eyes as we watched this take place on the big screen in movie theaters across the globe. 

Those small rocks were released from the hands of Jews who were rescued or descendants of those rescued from the torment or death of Hitler’s Third Reich. Those small rocks were saying to the departed Gentile hero, “My memory of you is solid as rock. You will never be forgotten.”

If you saw the movie, Schindler’s List, I’m sure you remember the scene.

A rock or stone can symbolize many things. It can be used destructively in a riot or as a means of execution as with Steven, an early follow of Jesus (Acts 7:54-60). In Peter’s letter to some First Century followers of Jesus he sees stones as building materials.

Rejected, but chosen … and precious. Who is Peter describing? 

He had just affirmed the recipients of his letter, saying they have “tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:3b), professing that these people have partaken of the kindness of Jesus. Now he wants them, and us, to understand more deeply what it means to follow Christ. 

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5 NKJV).

From being like a new born babe and then maturing into having the ability to put away the traits of a dark heart—that is a sinful past—(v.2), now the Christ follower becomes like a stone—a living stone—like Jesus.

Peter knew about stones. When Jesus called him out to be His disciple, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” which is translated, a stone (John 1:42 NKJV).  

Later, when Jesus asked of His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter spoke up and answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). 

Jesus affirmed Peter in that moment and confirmed Peter’s revelation statement. The Lord said, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah (meaning son of Jonah), for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:17-18 NKJV).

 Peter is translated, Petros - Petra (Greek), meaning rock.

Jesus is not saying that Peter is the rock on which the church is built, but that his faith, which Peter resolutely expressed, is the foundation stone of the church Jesus is building. Jesus himself is the chief cornerstone and He is the very foundation of His church, the body of Christ. 

 

Peter declares Jesus the living stone on which God’s spiritual house is being built and that as we continuously come to Jesus we recognize Him as the stone that was rejected and crucified by men (Psalm 118:22). He also points out that Jesus was chosen by God and is precious to the Father.  

The imagery of a stone or rock is significant in the Bible as well as in Jewish traditions. In Matthew 7:24-29, we’re instructed to build on rock, not sand, and Jesus is referred to as the Rock of our Salvation in Psalm 89:26.

Jesus is the solid foundation stone and, like Peter, our solid rock belief in Him makes us useful as His living building blocks.

Paul wrote a beautiful metaphor of God building His church: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:14 NKJV).    

Stone upon stone, we are living, breathing members of God’s eternal construction project. It is our honor and blessing, as Christ followers, to be living stones. We are building materials in the the spiritual house which Jesus is raising up. And not only that, we are a holy priesthood offering up spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God (v.4). Let’s take a look at that in my next post. 

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV).

Your comments are welcome. 

©Copyright 2018 Connie Wohlford