Faith in Practice-Start the Year Off Right

For those who read by pictures you might think that I am implying that you run off with a kid that is not yours to start the new year. Um....no. That child is supposed to be Mephibosheth and he gives us a great example in scripture of how our heart attitude should be. What do I mean? We all throw around quotes from Jesus and the Bible like, "My grace is sufficient for you" or "considering others more significant than yourselves" or even about "being heirs of God with Christ". That all sounds great but do we really do that when it comes down to it? Mephibosheth did. We are talking about a kid who's father and grandfather died in battle. He was dropped by his nurse after she hastily tried to flee with him upon hearing about their deaths rendering his legs lame. He was taken in by David only to be later betrayed and slandered by Ziba who was given all that belonged to Mephibosheth! In spite of all of this, Mephibosheth maintained the correct attitude; one that we should be mindful of. After he had cleared his name with King David, Mephibosheth was going to be restored and given back all that he had lost as a result of Ziba's lies. What did he do? He actually considered "others more significant" and let Ziba keep it all!! Can you imagine? Look at his attitude and what he says to the King in verse 28. "All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?” Shouldn't our attitude be the same. Aren't we also deserving of nothing but death and an eternity in hell, wretched sinners that we are? Think Ananias and Saphira(Ever told a lie?). But God has brought us in and given us a place at His table through His Son Jesus Christ. So when we go through an uncomfortable spot in life and like Paul are asking for it to be removed let's remember how bad Mephibosheth had it. Let's remember how "My grace is sufficient for you" was put into practice by someone who didn't even know the Lord Jesus. If we truly do know Jesus Christ, no "light momentary affliction" should move us to complain or feel sorry for ourselves in light of the fact that we are adopted heirs and have a place at the King of kings' table reserved for us in Heaven. So my New Years resolution and my prayer for you...Do all things without grumbling or questioning and to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified. These two things will go a long way in letting your light shine before men so that God in Heaven would be glorified. SDG!

Romans 8:16-18

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.