Realigned and Restored

Above all, you must live as citizens of Heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.  Philippians 1:27a NLT

This has been a mild winter so far, but it wasn't long ago when the roads were filled with potholes and the tire businesses were booming.  Just driving one's normal route could be hazardous. If the tire wasn't damaged, one needed to have the wheels realigned to restore a smooth ride.  As we begin this new year I have been sensing we need to be realigned and restored, too.

Our everyday lives can have "potholes" that throw us off course and one can go for a while without even noticing the change in the ride.  When was the last time you made the time to sit down with God and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you need to be realigned?  Are you living as a citizen of Heaven, a daughter of Most High God?  Would someone recognize you as a follower of Jesus?

I love Ephesians 2:6, "For he (Father God) raised us from the dead along with Christ, and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus."  Have you let the truth of your position in Christ soak into your heart?  Does it feel true that you are seated with Jesus in Heaven right now?  It is the truth.  Are you living aligned with that truth?  How would your life change if you began every morning remembering you are in Heaven?

Yes, our bodies still occupy space on earth, but our real home, where we are living right now, is in Heaven with Jesus.  As we begin to believe that, we should feel more peaceful.  We are secure, known and loved.  We are never alone.  All the promises God has made to us are being released.  God knows what we need.  He knows the past, present and is already waiting for us in the future.  Nothing surprises him, so we can trust that he is preparing us for the future.  We can be confident that Jesus hears our prayers because he is looking into our eyes as we pray them.

The world can leave us bruised and battered at times.  "But God.."  We belong to a gracious, tender and compassionate God who desires to restore all that was lost or stolen.  His restoration leaves us stronger, more beautiful than before.  So why not take the time to go to him and let him restore you?  You are more than worth it!

Pray with me:  Father God, it sounds too good to be true that you love me so much that your Spirit transferred me out of darkness into your glorious Kingdom of light where I am now with Jesus.  Thank you, Jesus, for blessing me with every spiritual blessing in  the heavenly realms because I belong to you. (Eph.1:3) I choose to be realigned with the truth of my position in you.  Please, restore me, cleanse and strengthen me.  I want to live a life that honors and glorifies you. In the precious name of my Lord Jesus, I pray.  Amen.

Dear friend, be blessed as you learn to live as a citizen of Heaven and glorify God in all you are and do.  Amen.

Mary Sumner
January 14, 2020