Another of our titles, if we want to call them that, is "heirs of God" and "co-heirs with Christ." (See Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7; Ephesians 1:5.) We are heirs because we are sons (daughters) of God our Father. There is perhaps no greater designation than to be called a child of God because of the ramifications.  Children grow up with their parents and take on their mannerisms and habits.  Children benefit from the education and other things that parents provide because parents want their children to succeed in life.  They benefit from their parents' place in society. Children inherit from their parents when the parents die.
  God, as our Father, wants and provides the same for us and even more so because He is God.  God made us in his image and likeness.  We can, through the example of Jesus and applying the Word of God to our lives, grow up to be like him.  Because of natural parents, we might say of someone, "She has her father's eyes and his smile."  How much greater the compliment if we can say, "She has her Father's eyes and smile, his compassion and love of others."  Or, "He has learned patience and self-control."
  As children of God we hold a certain place in society.  After all, our Father is the Supreme Godhead, Creator and Ruler of the Universe.  If we know who He is, then we should know who we are.  We can brag on our Father and bring people to meet him.  People might look to us to be leaders and to grant favors which we would be able to offer through exercise of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
  As children of the Father, co-heirs with Christ, we inherit all that he has.  Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18) and he passed it on to his disciples.   He said we could drive out demons, speak in new tongues, and heal the sick.  And we will inherit the Kingdom.  At the end He will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Come, enter into my joy (cf. Matthew 25:23).  
  That's what it means to be an heir.

  This new creation that we have become can conquer!  We are more than conquerors according to Paul in Romans 9:37.  We may have heard this statement used often among Christians when trials come, but we need to look at the context in Paul's letter (9:26-39).  We who have answered God's call are conformed to the likeness of Jesus (We have been made in the image and likeness of God.). We are also justified. Therefore no one can bring any charge against us for we have been declared "not guilty" because Jesus died and rose for us.  We are then glorified by the impartation of the Holy Spirit who "helps us in our weakness",  who "intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express . .  in accordance with God's will."
  Because of all this nothing can separate us from God's love; nothing can come between us and God.  It is more than just standing beside God or being attached to God.  We are not just "two peas in a pod" or "attached at the hip."   No, we have God within us.  How can we be separated from something which is within us?  We can't.  And since we are united with him we can conquer anything.
  For Reflection:  What needs to be conquered in my life?  In the world around me?
  Let us pray.  Lord Jesus, I believe that you live within me, that we are united by the work of the Father, your death and resurrection and the indwelling of your Spirit.  I always want to act in union with you to conquer whatever needs to be defeated according to your will.

  The last few weeks, in preparation for Christmas, we have looked at titles of Jesus.  Although we didn't look at many of the "I am" titles from John's gospel, we did look at a few.  Perhaps we will explore more of these in the coming days.  But today I want to propose something along the lines of a "New Year's Resolution." And it is this:  that we be very careful this year about how we think of ourselves.
  Jesus said of himself,  "I am the Good Shepherd," "I am the bread of life," "I am the light of the world."  All of these are very positive statements. And, as I pointed out earlier, they use nouns not adjectives.  The nouns are shepherd, bread, light, etc.  Could we not come up with similar positive statements to make about ourselves?  "I am a child of God."  "I am the recipient of God's love." "I am a co-heir with Jesus Christ."
  Further, can we limit the negative adjectives we use with reference to ourselves?  Could we stop saying, "I am tired," "I am lonely," "I am afraid?"  For Luke 6:45 says, "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of."  Can we keep our hearts full of the positive, rather than the negative?  Can we keep our hearts full of the promises of God?  Might we look at what we have, rather than what we don't have?  Shall we try it?  I'd be interested in your feedback.
  (I apologize for not posting regularly over the last week.  If God does not inspire me, I cannot write.  So there were a few days of waiting for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Inspirer.