Royalty!

Are you a royal person? Probably you're answering that question in the negative, as most of us will.

Last week most of the world was watching or interested in the royal wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan. Being part of the royal family is something special and honorable! Most of us would never have an opportunity to be part of the royal family of England, but actually we are part of another royal family! The royal family of heaven!

When I found this quote, I thought of the events of this last week.

"We have read an account of a noble prince who carried the picture of his father always near his heart and on important occasions when there was danger of forgetting him, he would take out the likeness and view it and say, 'Let me do nothing unbecoming so excellent a father.' As Christians, God has claims upon us that we should never, never lose sight of for a moment; and as we are His children by adoption, how careful should we be that we retain His image and do nothing that will belittle or degrade our holy calling, for we rank among the royal family." Our High Calling, page 22

Amazing!

We are part of the royal family of heaven, which is far more important than any royal family here on earth!

Do we act like a royal child?

Do we dress like a royal child?

Do we talk like a royal child?

Is all we do a good example that when others see us, they want to join the royal family too?

"When all are members of the royal family, there will be true politeness in the home life. Each member of the family will seek to make it pleasant for every other member." Child Guidance, page 143.

Anything we say to others (but especially to our family members) should be a blessing and encouragement to them, not rude and harsh. Princes and princesses should treat each other courteously and respectfully!

If we don't act like we belong to the royal family in our lives now, we will not be found in the heavenly kingdom. Heaven must begin here on earth in our hearts and homes before we will live in those pearly mansions and walk the golden streets.

Then as we seek to live as Jesus wants us to live and be royal family members now, we are called to help others join us!

"Do your very best to prepare the living to become members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King. This is our work now; this is your work. Do it faithfully..." Daughters of God, page 220

Friends, let's strive to be God's royal ambassadors for Him here on earth today!

Perfect Peace

The story is told of long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered.

The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled.

As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd.

A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.

The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace?

A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power.

A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil. 

It was that painting that won the contest. Truly peace in one's heart is found even in the most disturbing circumstances as long as Jesus is in the heart.

David surely could relate to this idea of peace. Being continually chased by King Saul, hiding in the mountains and caves for protection, he learned to find his trust and confidence only from God.

I was reading Psalms 27 this morning during my devotions and realized that the whole theme of this chapter is about peace.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

When Jesus is in our hearts, there is no darkness. Why? Because He is the light. We can walk forward in confidence and courage with no fear because He is with us.

     Peace in our hearts because Jesus is the light.

"Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear..."

No matter how many people hate us or make trouble for us, we don't need to fear or to let it affect us. Why? Because God will fight for us!

     Peace in our hearts because Jesus is our defender.

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life..."

Our first and most important focus in life should be to be in heaven (God's house) with Jesus. Nothing else in life really matters. EGW says, "The love of Jesus Christ will take possession of our characters and our lives, and our conversation will be holy and we will dwell on heavenly things." Sons and Daughters of God, page 318.

If seeking after the kingdom of God is not our first priority in life (Mt. 6:33), then we might find ourselves missing heaven completely. As long as we continue to put Jesus first in our lives and surrender to His leading and working, He will continue the good work He has started in our lives (Phil. 1:6).

     Peace in our hearts because Jesus in our sanctifier.

"For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion..."

We've all gone through various kinds of "time of trouble" in our lives. But the promise is, that we are to be hidden in God's pavilion during our troublous times.

"The precious Saviour will send help just when we need it. The way to heaven is consecrated by His footprints. Every thorn that wounds our feet has wounded His. Every cross that we are called to bear He has borne before us. The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace." Reflecting Christ, page 375.

     Peace in our hearts amidst the storm around us because Jesus is our comforter.

"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."

Sometimes it seems that we are all alone. People that we love dearly may forsake us, but the promise is that God will take care of us (1 Pt. 5:7). When we feel lonely or discouraged, that's the very time, Jesus is right beside us just as in the famous dream of the footprints in the sand.

     Peace in our hearts because Jesus is our Father and Best Friend.

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage..."

Waiting on the Lord sounds a lot like having our morning devotions! How can we have peace in our hearts throughout the day if we don't connect with God in the morning?

"When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). Here alone can true rest be found. And this is the effectual preparation for all who labor for God. Amid the hurrying throng and the strain of life’s intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace." Our Father Cares, page 135.

We can be happy and full of rest and peace in our hearts because Jesus is with us and will help us! Peace comes by sitting at the feet of Jesus and letting His Spirit fill our hearts so that whatever we face during the day will not affect our souls and make us flustered.

     Peace in our hearts because Jesus in our Guide and our daily Bread.

We need this peace friends! Let's ask God to give us peace in our hearts and to walk with Him!

Follow the "Sun"!

Did you know that the sunflower is the only flower that has "flower" in its name? Did you know that the tallest sunflower was 25 feet, 5 1/2 inches? Talk about an amazing flower!

I have always loved sunflowers and as I was studying them, I found something amazing! Sunflowers follow the sun all day long! In the morning, they are pointed toward the east as the sun rises. All day long, their bright yellow faces are gazing at the bright sunbeams. As the sun dips down into the western sky, their faces are pointed west - a complete turn-around from the direction of the morning.

Sunflowers don't stop to put their heads back anytime to see what's happening behind them. They don't think of the birds, the animals or anything around them. All they are focused on is the bright sun and keeping their faces following it all day.

What a lesson for us! Jesus is our "Sun" of Righteousness and what if we were to be "sunflowers" and follow Him all day long?

If we keep our focus on Jesus, nothing would bother us or make us troubled.

If we always looked to Jesus, the challenges of life wouldn't make us feeling sad or lonely or discouraged.

Hebrews says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."

Are you looking to Jesus?

"We may keep so near to God that in every unexpected trial our thoughts will turn to Him as naturally as the flower turns to the sun."  -- SC 99, 100

So let's follow Jesus the Sun of Righteousness each day and focus on Him alone! :)