Monday, July 30, 2007

Choosing Your Inheritance

My Inheritance

I am nothing
But a reflection
Of who you are;
Created in your image
Called one of your own
Co-heir with Christ Jesus;
I have inherited
Your wonderful nature
Which words cannot describe;
I have inherited
Your gifts and abilities
To do your will on earth;
I have inherited
Your riches and glory
That they may know I’m yours;
I have inherited
All you’ve prepared for me
Before I was conceived:
I am nothing
But a reflection
Of who you are;
Having chosen
To partake of my inheritance
Through Christ Jesus;
And accepted freedom
From bondage
And negative inheritance.

The Inspiration
Ten year old Chijioke listened to his father talking about the land being an heirloom. It had been passed down from his great-grand father, to his grand father, to his father, and one day it would be his. He had an inheritance.

Ufomah’s grandmother was a single mom having only one daughter. Same with her grandmother. And then her mother. So as she reached her teenage years she awaited the man who will impregnant her and leave her as a single mom. She was awaiting her spiritual inheritance.

If we take a detailed look at our lives, we might be surprised to find out that there are various things (physical and spiritual) which we have inherited from our parents (and foreparents, any word like that?). Obvious are the physical traits – the eyes, nose, etc. Things inherited could range from wealth to character traits. My mother is one woman that loves fashion, clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, cosmetics, name it all. I have most of my sisters that inherited this from her. I called them “materialistic”. One day I realized that all my shoes looked exactly like what she wears, same with my clothes (So what should I call myself?). The truth was I had inherited this trait of hers, only that I had been trying so hard to suppress it. What happens if the traits we inherit are unhealthy? Are there things in your life which you have resigned thus: “that’s just the way it is in my family!”or “It is my destiny!” or “That is just the way I am!” Are you aware that anything you have inherited you can pass on to your children?

I like the statement by Stormie Omartian in her book “Power of a Praying Parent” where she stated that “Unlike physical traits, SPIRITUAL TENDENCIES ARE SOME THINGS WE DON’T HAVE TO RECEIVE.” As children of God who have accepted Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we are not bound to the consequences of the sins of our fathers. This is because all our sins were nailed with Jesus Christ on the cross. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Jesus, because He was anointed to preach good tidings to the poor; He was sent to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to open the prison to those who are bound [Isaiah 61:1]. If there are negative character traits, health conditions, financial status, ways of life that you feel you inherited, be aware that through Christ Jesus you have been set free and you are free indeed [John 8:36]. It is something you need to go to God to in prayer.

Choose this day your inheritance, for your inheritance shall be forever [Psalm 37:28]. The right of inheritance is yours [Jeremiah 32:8]. The Lord is your part and your inheritance [Numbers 18:20], [Psalm 16:9]. You should choose to inherit the riches of your heavenly Father [Proverbs 19:14]. You should choose to inherit the kingdom prepared for you before the foundation of the world [Matthew 25:34]. You should by faith choose to inherit the blessings of Father Abraham.

Having chosen the right inheritance, remember to leave a good inheritance for your children and children’s children for a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children [Proverbs 13:22].

Have a blessed day.

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