Verse of the Day - Psalm 119:111

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. ~ Psalm 119:111 (NIV)

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We all come from different backgrounds and cultures that make up what we call our heritage. You may come from a wealthy family with "old money"...or from a blue-collar working family who "got by". Your cultural roots may tie you to America, Mexico or Russia...or anywhere in between. But there is something that ties all believers together into a heritage that lasts forever -- God's word.

Many who don't know God think that His word is shackling and heavy, a burden to bear instead of a joy to the heart. (Reminds me of the old song..."Sixteen Tons...whaddaya get? Another day older and deeper in debt...St. Peter don't ya call me 'cuz I can't go, I owe my soul to the company store....") They haven't been freed in Jesus to understand God and His heart. They haven't tasted the Lord and found that He is good.

His ways are a good heritage --

My daughter wrote a college paper recently where she remarked that she was learning some things about life, like how treating people the way you want to be treated and showing respect toward others really is a good way to live, and not just some meaningless stuff she heard from her parents as a child. I gently reminded her that that was in the Bible, from Jesus, and she laughed and said, "Duh, Mom, I'm not stupid. I mean, I was raised in the church..." :-)

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have roots that go all the way down to the Ancient of Days, to the Alpha and the Omega. God's word is a good heritage -- His ways are the right ways, and they lead to life, providing a framework that steers people to holiness and peace. They protect and defend us, and help us to be what God has designed His kingdom to be.

So are we tapping into our godly inheritance, or letting it collect dust, like some old property deed in a musty lockbox? Do we treasure and embrace the gift of His word that He's handed down to us, or is it just a prop that you carry when you enter the doors of your church once a week? Hmm...

If you are a God follower, be sure you're tapping into the heritage that your heavenly Father has given His children. Store up His word in your heart and meditate on His ways. Allow your roots to go down deep into the heart of your Creator, and soak up all the soul nutrients you can. It leads to life and joy and peace.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. ~ Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

Love,
Joelene