REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Sam Lee who leads Catalyst Agape Church in Northern New Jersey, was first posted on July 21, 2014. He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Focusing on What We Do Have”
1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Do you realize what it means to be a citizen of heaven, “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession”? It means that the door of heaven has already been opened for us through Christ; that is, in Christ, we can have heaven on earth.
As citizens of heaven, we have new life; all our past sins are forgiven, and we are washed clean from guilt, shame, accusation, and condemnations. The radical love of God is poured down upon us, and the power of God transforms and empowers us and to disciple nations.
And here is the good news: We don’t need a special work visa to get into the Kingdom of Heaven, for our faith in Christ makes us heirs of the Kingdom of God. So we can stop striving today. And we can stop stressing, since the source of much stress comes from our fear of the unknown or unfulfilled desires.
Let’s take a little breather today, not focusing on what we don’t have, but what we already have in Christ. Let’s remind ourselves what it means to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God, taking our focus from this world, so that we can live empowered lives as Kingdom workers!
Prayer: I am a new creation. The old is gone, the new is here. The old temptations have no power over me. I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me
Bible Reading for Today: Acts 9
Lunch Break Study
Read Romans 8:14-17: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Questions to Consider
- Meditate on some of the blessings of being adopted as a true child of God?
- What would be the differences between living as heirs as opposed to living as slaves?
Notes
- One blessing that stands out is that I will never be disowned by the Father nor will I be separated from His love (Rom. 8:35).
- Confidence vs. fear; hope vs. hopelessness; freedom vs. bondage, to name a few.
Evening Reflection
What is one area in which God has convicted you regarding your identity in Christ? What would you need to do to walk out that truth this week?