Our Inheritance

"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, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possesion, to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:11-14

Jesus has called us all to receive our inheritance, when we think of an inheritance we often think in terms of this world; a career, a relationship, a church, a home, yet Jesus has given us a far greater inheritance, He has given us Himself.

As I have walked with the Lord into lands that I believed possesed my inheritance, I have learned that they were not in the things themselves but in how Christ would lead me to more of Him through each possesion, circumstance or event. He has become my inheritance. When the things of this world fail us or pass away, we come to know more fully our Savior, receiving more of our inheritance.

Jesus has asked us to fellowship in His sufferings, He has promised to give us Himself in the day of trouble, as we are willing, we receive our great inheritance, which is Christ Himself. We know His heart more intimately, we feel His wounds more significantly, we surrender more fully to Him who is our all.

"... that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of the inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." Ephesians 1:18-23

He is our inheritance and ours for the taking now and for all eternity!! Praise Jesus!

What may be more impressive is the fact that we are His inheritance!! I don't think I'm much to behold, but to our Father in Heaven we are precious in His sight, the joy that was set before Him inspiring Him to endure the cross!! He truly delights in us and waits expectantly for us to come to Him. "The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Save your people, and bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, and bear them up forever." Psalm 28:8,9

If Need Be...

"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 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. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory." 1 Peter 1:3-8


I spent last week in a factory that makes dried fruit for those less fortunate. When we arrived one of the staff members told us that the peaches were known to talk so we should be listening. What he meant was that it was common for God to speak to people's hearts as they processed the peaches, he was right. That first day in the factory the Lord began to reveal to me a beautiful picture through those bruised and scarred peaches.

The local farmers donate all the peaches to the factory that they can't sell to the markets, fruit is good but has some sort of bruise or scar making it unappealing to the eye.
The Lord showed me that these peaches were believers that had endured trials and suffering and were wounded and scarred.

The first stop is the inspection belt, here fruit that cannot be used at all is thrown out. The only reason a peach can't be used is if it's flesh is exposed, how true is this for the Christian, the carnal Christian who is walking by the flesh cannot endure the sufferings and trials of life and will be taken out. However the Christian who is walking by the Spirit is able to endure despite their wounds.

The next stop is the cutters, before the cutters all the peaches have to be turned with their stems facing upward so that the core can be cut out completely. In other words, the believer must be completey turned towards and submitted to Jesus in order to endure.

Next the core, the hard middle part is cut out completly. Here our hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh. Those areas that are hard and need to be cut out are removed, leaving the soft fruit, which is ready to be turned into something beautiful.

Next the fruit is laid out on trays and sent to soak up the sun or the Son and made into dried fruit.

Here's where it gets exciting, the recipients of this dried fruit consider it one of the most precious gifts they will ever receive!!! Some may have never tasted fruit before! Some may not have any other food or nourishment! They are filled with joy and excitement as they receive this dried up fruit. But what if the peach hadn't been bruised or wounded? It would've wound up in the supermarket like any other peach. But now, because it was "walking in the Spirit", "submitted to and pointed toward Jesus", and "willing to endure", it is a precious gift to all that receive it!!!

Dear friend, if need be, you will endure various trials, for the praise, glory and honor of Jesus.
Thank Him today for the trial He has chosen for you and the precious gift He is making you into!
He is pleased with you and many others will be blessed as you chosse to obey and endure and always look to Jesus.

Surrender

On my knees before You, my hands open to You, all that I am, all that I have, is Yours.
Tears flood my eyes, fears crowd my thoughts, sorrow floods over me.
Reduced to nothing, what can I offer?
A broken vessel, poor and needy...
You receive this offering, You gently pick up the pieces, pouring your Spirit through all the broken places.

Healed and set free, You shape this vessel again, for Your glory. Beautiful, useful, a sweet smelling aroma, a living sacrifice.

Your love so evident, Your presence constant, through the pain, and confusion, through the hopelessness and desparation, You never left me, nor would You.
Lover of my soul, You have captured my heart, I am Yours completely.
I surrender