Our Inheritance

I have read & learned so many wonderful things in my study & devotion time this week that I have had a difficult time choosing just one to share with you today.  I never thought about our inheritance from God before.  I've known that He gives us many gifts when we surrender our lives to Him:  His grace, His forgiveness, etc.  I just never thought of these gifts being an inheritance ... but they are.

I am reading a book of evening devotions ... Ending Your Day Right, written by Joyce Meyer.  One of last week's devotions was based on Ephesians 1:11.  Joyce titled it "Enjoy Your Inheritance."  She writes as follows:

"As a believer, you are meant to enjoy your spiritual inheritance.  Life presents many challenges, but you must recognize what is rightfully yours through placing your confidence in Christ.  You don't have to live on an emotional roller coaster, feeling up one day & down the next.  Instead, you can live as Christ lived, with a sense of peace & security that comes from knowing who you are & Whose you are.

Until you make the decision to claim & live in your inheritance, the enemy will continue to rob you of what Jesus died to provide you -- His righteousness, peace, & joy that prevail even in the midst of turmoil & confusion.  So calm down, cheer up, & learn to enjoy the inheritance that is yours through Christ." 

When you mention the word inheritance to someone, they will most likely think of a person dying & leaving their money &/or worldly goods to another person.  This is, of course, a correct definition.  However, Merriam-Webster offers a second definition: "the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations."

A condition or trait.  We can inherit a condition or trait, good or bad, from our parents, grandparents, etc.  For example, a bad temper would be considered a bad condition or trait, & a good work ethic would be considered a good condition or trait.  We can also inherit a condition or trait from God.  We can inherit His peace & joy.  We do, in fact, inherit these things.  To paint a word picture, we have a Last Will & Testament (the Bible) which tells us that God gives us His peace & joy when we surrender our lives to Him.  As Joyce says, we don't have to live on an emotional roller coaster, feeling up one day & down the next.  Peace & joy are bequeathed to us.  We just have to take them.

While looking for the above scripture card image, I found this one referencing Ephesians 1:8 & got quite a kick out of it.

I would rather have peace, joy, contentment, & all the other things God gives me than all the money & riches the world has to offer. Remember my link to a Jim Reeves song on YouTube a couple weeks ago?  I've got another one for you & will follow it with the lyrics.  The title of the song is "I'd Rather Have Jesus."  I love this song.  I hope you will too   : )

"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold.

I'd rather be His than have treasures untold.

I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land.

I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hands

Than to be the king of a vast domain

& be held in sin's dread sway.

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

this world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than worldly applause

I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause.

I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame

I'd rather be true to His holy name.

Than to be the king of a vast domain

& be held in sin's dread sway.

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

this world affords today."

I wish you all peace, joy, contentment, & a very blessed Sunday   : )