As 2014 comes to a close I encourage you to consider your soul’s birthright.

God created you for a special purpose.  Do you feel you understand that purpose? Do you feel you are accomplishing that purpose?

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

It is easy for us to sell our birthright for an empty promise. Satan is counting on us not thinking too deeply about our choices and their impact on our soul. It is much easier to see the consequence of a bad diet on the physical well being of a person than the consequence of poor choices on the spiritual well being of the soul.

If we could see with spiritual eyes we could look into the mirror of our lives and see the state of our soul. If you were to do that what would you discover?

So many people start the New Year with resolutions to improve their physical health. Fitness clubs get many new memberships as people resolve to shed some unwanted weight, but what about our spiritual well being? Do we need to improve our spirtual health and reclaim our God given birthright?

God, creates all souls in His very own image, for one special purpose, which is to give glory to God. Our birthright is to live to do God’s will and to understand that this life is a transition, a journey to our ultimate home, Heaven. Every choice we make should be viewed strategically and carefully with spiritual eyes and we must recognize that the tempter, Satan, will be preaching a message of pleasure not purpose, of instant gratification not lasting fulfillment, of selfishness not selflessness, of power and greed not one of gentleness and generosity.

If we are not living and witnessing to our Christian faith then we are selling our birthright to the devil.  Remember the devil’s goal is to make you foolishly give up all that God has prepared for you. So as we contemplate the New Year, let’s reflect and take stock on whether or not we need to reclaim our soul’s birthright?

Our birthright is to be a people of God, to live according to His will and to rejoice in His love and perpetual blessings. God wants us to entrust everything to Him and to not be afraid. Regardless of the mistakes we have made to date, Our Lord Jesus is ready to forgive us, to purify us and to put us on a path of honour, but He will not force us to change.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4: 22-24

Sometimes I grieve as I reflect on the state of the world cloaked in so much darkness. I imagine Our Lord Jesus with tears in His eyes as He looks with sorrow on so much sin. Jesus suffered so much for our redemption. He created us as His precious possession, His very own people, His family. He created us not just for a short moment in time but for all eternity and that which awaits us is unimaginable to us for it is so awesome! “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him– these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

If we were to devise a “get fit” plan we would probably make dietary changes. We would give some things up that are bad for us and we would add some things to our diet that are good for us. We would likely get more physically active and start exercising.

So if we are to devise a “spiritual health plan” for the New Year, let’s ask ourselves what do we have to give up and what things do we need to start doing? Do we need to start practicing our faith in a more meaningful way?  Do we need to trust Jesus more?  Do we need to start spending more time with Jesus in prayer and contemplation?

I can’t give you the answers to the questions, but God can help you to find those answers if you want to discover God’s true plan for you. God offers to each and every soul every grace that is needed for it to accomplish its birthright. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Jesus loves you and He wants you to trust Him completely. Entrust everything to Jesus and listen to Him. Read His holy Word and know that He is speaking to You. Your birthright is to live eternally with God beginning this very moment, so let’s not give Satan any further opportunities to take us off the path that leads to the serenity of heaven. Let’s consider our priorities carefully and ask ourselves whether our choices please God or are they threatening our birthright.

Don’t sell your birthright by being careless and focusing too much on instant gratification and pleasure. Our Holy Lord Jesus extends His hand to you today saying: “”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

When we take the Lord’s yoke upon us we are declaring that we belong to Jesus. We will follow Him. We will forgive one another and strive to love God and one another as He taught us. We will turn away from sin and stay sober understanding that the devil will be striving to steal our birthright away from us at every juncture in our lives. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Let us pray for one another, that as a New Year dawns that there may be many, many spiritual conversions. Let us pray that all souls will come to know and trust Our Saviour Jesus Christ who wills for all souls to be reconciled to Him and be transformed into the people He desires us to be—people of dignity, of honour, of mercy, justice and love!

May Your infinite love, my sweet Saviour Jesus change our hearts, our minds and our lives!  We love YOU God!