Devotional – February 26, 2021

Regularly reading the Word of God is a great habit that reaps many benefits; but can you admit that sometimes when we read, we tend to cherry pick what aspects of Scripture that is easier to digest. Those things that seem easy to understand, and more appetizing to our spirit we tend to learn and repeat them. Then, there are the parts that are too difficult for us, and maybe just don’t resonate with us; we either ignore them, or discard them altogether. Yet, the Lord, our God says that every word that proceeds out of His mouth is truth and He honours them.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. … The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

St. Matthew 24:35

Would you agree that there has never been a time when we have access to so much; we live in a time where knowledge is widely available via so many different media platforms? Whatever we desire to know, the information is at our fingertips. Just type a word or question in a search engine on the internet and voila… the answer, or answers come in like a flood. What answer do you think you would find if you typed the question: Am I God?

It is possible that you would receive answers that are true, and some that are just erroneous. Yet, even without checking on a search engine on the worldwide web, the Bible answers this question clearly, and once and for all. The Psalmist Asaph revealed this truth to Israel in Psalm 82. Though created in the image of God, and chosen as His special people, the nation of Israel was oblivious about who they really were. Asaph strived to help his people to understand their true worth and status. He wrote:

I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you.

Psalm 82:6

Further, the Psalmist chided them that because of their ignorance they would:

die like mere mortals

Psalm 82:7

The life and ministry of Jesus was threatened by the “mortal mentality” of the people who lived during that time. The Pharisees in particular had a problem with how Jesus acted and spoke, especially how He spoke about His relationship with God. He called Him- “My Father”. In their eyes, Jesus was equating Himself with God, and they did not appreciate that. At one point, Jesus rebuked them for their criticism of the work and miracles He performed. He accused them of not being His “sheep”; He said, if they were, then they would listen, and heed His words. The Pharisees became angry and wanted to stone Jesus for His critique of them; yet, Jesus remained firm and said to them:

“Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?

St. John 10:34

For the month of February, we are exploring the topic of Virtue, which we have already established means: having moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. Conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness; rectitude.  As women of faith in pursuit of a deeper understanding of God, and having a desire to exude His essence, we will find that if we hold being “Virtuous” as a standard to be attained, we will find ourselves on a path that God will go ahead and make the way clear for us to become all that He created us to be.

Ideally, all humans are created in the image of God, so by design we are to reflect Him. Our Creator has also given us the responsibility and authority to rule and reign in the domain of earth He has entrusted in our care. Let us define the words: Reign– hold royal office. Supreme: highest in rank or authority. It is written:

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind.

Psalm 115:16

By Divine Design, as God intends it to be, humans have the highest rank. As children of the King, we are Royalty. As women, we have a role to play to function in our capacity as Queens. Through our love, care, nurturing and heartfelt prayers, there is so much that we can do to make our world a better place; bringing order and peace on earth. We have the authority given to us by our Creator to Reign Supreme.

HOW SHE REIGNS SUPREME

Are you wondering what the Psalmist Asaph and Jesus were talking about? Is it true that “We are gods”? What do you think? I remember vividly when I was a young child attending Primary School; during our devotional exercise we frequently recited Psalm 8, written by King David. Believe it or not, even today I can recite the Psalm without looking in the Bible. There was one particular verse that stands out in my mind; it says:

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels and hast crowned him with glory and honour…

Psalm 8:5

As I got older I often reflect on the Creation Story in the Book of Genesis that reveals that man was made in the image of God; in pondering David’s Psalm, and digesting Jesus’s confirmation of the truth of humans being gods, over time, my now Beautiful Eyes can see how God sees you and me. Indeed, we are Gods, sons(Children) of the Most High God. The journey we are invited to take with God is for us to Reign Supreme. What does this mean? It means that we are to understand who we are by design- Gods. We are to believe that we are Gods, we are to learn how to be who were are – Gods, and we are to be all that we are – Gods...without apology. As our Creator intended, we are

Do you believe that you are God? I hope that you do because if you do, that’s great, but if you don’t, your unbelief does not change the fact that you are. The call to embrace “virtue” as the standard by which we live is so that we learn how to be who we are – Gods. When we accept that we are children of the Most High God; a royal priesthood, then we know that we are Queens and we have a King who will Transform us by the power of His Holy Spirit. By reading the Word of God and growing in faith, we will receive the gift of Beautiful Eyes and bear Good Fruits. With all the knowledge, understanding and wisdom that we gain through our intimate relationship with our God, we are equipped to Reign Supreme.

Your Journey with God will take you to all the places and spaces within yourself that will lead to you discover your true self-worth, and purpose so that each day when you awake your entire being exudes the essence of your King. Daily, as you allow Him access to your mind, body and spirit, He will mold you into the image of Himself so that you second naturedly behave in a manner that reflects His image.

I am very well aware that all that I have said may seem hard to believe and digest; it was for me too. I was raised to believe that I had to die and wait for God’s Judgement Day to know where I would spend eternity- heaven or hell. Yet, as I have grown closer to God, and have a better understanding of Him, He has revealed the truth about His love and purpose for mankind- that we can attain righteousness in this present life and be confident that we are saved. Abraham and David were friends of God and they didn’t die before they were deemed God’s friends.

Jesus made this way possible for us to not only be a friend of God, but His children; He was born as human, lived a righteous life, and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us all. Through His ministry, we know that death has no power; living a life of full surrender and purpose grant us full salvation that we can be confident we have. For this reason, Jesus reminds us that:

I said, you are gods?

St. John 10:34

Your commitment to trust God’s love for you, to pursue your purpose, and to fulfill it will cause you to Reign Supreme. You will be the “God” you were created to be, and your God, Father and King will fulfill all His promises to you. It is written:

I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

Psalm 75:10

The path of faith requires sacrifice; but not the kind that we are not able to make. The journey we will take with God will take us into eternity- that means forever. All that God requires of us is worth giving if we will receive the gift of eternal life. Indeed, you will Reign Supreme; the Bible confirms it:

If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny him, he also will deny us

2 Timothy 2:12

Dear Queen, you now know that there is a priceless reward awaiting you- all that your journey of faith will entail will be worth it, because of what your God has in store for you – this is it:

You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride.…

Isaiah 62:3 -4

Go forth and Reign Supreme...BE BLESSED.

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