Ordinary Time

Pause

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore.”

Neil Weatherhogg, “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,” 1990

Listen

We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design. We are called to be an honor to God’s glory because we were the first to hope in Christ. You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God’s own people, resulting in the honor of God’s glory.

Ephesians 1:11-14

Think

The time is coming soon, if it hasn’t already. A moment of self-realization that something you say or do is exactly like a relative from a previous generation. Maybe it’s a phrase you say, a distinctive mannerism, or an attitude you have. There’s nothing we can do about inherited traits. We didn’t necessarily ask for it, but it becomes a part of us. Some may call it a blessing, others a curse.

As children of God we have inherited a calling. Maybe we didn’t ask for it. Perhaps there are times when we selfishly wish we could live for ourselves and not for others. But that’s not how it works when we hope in Christ.

We realize our spiritual inheritance when we recognize the blessing we’ve been given in the Holy Spirit. We are created not for personal glory, but for the glory of God. We are called to share the inheritance of this good news with the world. In time, our words, mannerisms, and attitudes may indeed reflect the One from whom all blessings flow. #LikeChrist #ToGodBeTheGlory

Neil Myer

Pray

Thank you, God for the inheritance of your Holy Spirit. May I, in turn, share this gift and model your love for the world to see. Amen.

Go

Go into the world remembering God’s richest blessings are not found in the randomness of everyday life but in the gift that is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.