February 26, 2004
Encouragement for Today
Joint-heirs
Sharon Jaynes, Vice President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, author, speaker
Key Verse:
I am a joint-heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
Devotion:
Imagine being informed that you have inherited a multi-level mansion equipped with every conceivable treasure. You run up the curving brick sidewalk, throw open the massive oak doors, and excitedly run from room to room hardly believing the good fortune bequeathed to you! However, what you discover are not the expected surroundings fit for a queen, but sensible chambers, adequately furnished and sparsely decorated.
In the foyer, a beautifully carved winding staircase, adorned with plush crimson carpet, beckons you to climb to the next level. You consider the steps, look back over your shoulder and decide, “Hey, the lower level’s enough for me. Besides, I’m afraid of heights. I’ll just stay down here where it’s safe.”
Unbeknownst to you, the upper levels house all the treasures intended to become your inheritance, and you’re standing in the servants’ quarters. Upstairs awaited a golden gilded ballroom, a chandeliered dining hall, four poster beds with down filled mattresses, a safe filled with enough gold and silver to last a life time, and a jewelry box brimming with family heirlooms.
The staircase was all that stood between you and these treasures. What kept you on ground level? Contentment with mediocrity, lack of knowledge, and a fear of the unknown robbed you of these treasures meant for you.
We all have an inheritance from our heavenly Father. We are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. But often times we spend our days in the servants’ quarters, never climbing the stairs to where the true riches are stored.
We can move forward with confidence knowing that no matter what He calls us to do, He will provide all that we need to obey that call. He doesn’t necessarily call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing and made joint-heirs with Christ.
My Prayer for today:
Dear Lord, forgive me for living like a spiritual pauper when I am a child of the King. Thank you that you have given me everything I need to live a life of godliness and truth. I pray that your Holy Spirit will fill me anew today and open my eyes to the blessings that surround me on every side. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application steps:
Make a list of “outrageous prayers.” What would you like to ask from God, but have been afraid to ask?
Reflection points:
Are there any areas of your life where you have been living like a spiritual pauper instead of a child of the King?
What is the difference between how a servant of a King and a child of the King would approach the King?
Which way do you tend to approach God in prayer?
How do you feel when someone asks you to give them something that you have been longing to give? Has that ever happened to you?
As a parent, would you give something to your child that you knew would be harmful? How could that relate to our prayers?
After reading the above devotion, where are you in relation to the stairs? At the bottom? In the middle? At the top?
Power verses:
I am a joint-heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (I Corinthians 6:19).
I am an heir of God and one in Christ with fellow believers (Galatians 4:6-7).
I am a child of God (I John 3:1-2).
I have been given the Holy Spirit as a down payment (Ephesians1:13-14).
I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
*All Bible references are NIV unless otherwise noted.
Additional resources:
Ultimate Makeover: Becoming Spiritually Beautiful in Christ by Sharon Jaynes
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/makeover.html
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/key.html