Spiritual Growth
Oh Baby…Royal Baby
Oh baby! He’s finally arrived. He weighed in at 8 pounds and 6 ounces. And now he has a name–George Alexander Louis. He will be called “His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.”
Oh, there’s just nothing like a baby. Soft velvety skin. All cuddly and warm. So innocent and precious! While I will agree there’ something special about every baby, this baby has the world talking. The news media camped for three weeks outside the hospital to hold their piece of prime real estate for capturing photos of the royal family and their new arrival. And the pictures are fabulous! The royal baby is absolutely adorable. But his looks is not what makes this baby so special, no! It’s the royal blood coursing through his veins that puts him third in line to the throne.
Another baby !
This history making birth takes me to a higher royalty, a purer blood line, an enduring celebration, it takes me to Jesus. God’s royal baby arrived right on time. His royal, sinless blood purchased our salvation. By spilling His royal blood, we are more than wretched sinners saved by grace, we are children of God. We are brand new in Christ. Because we are new, we think different and live different, not vice versa!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Stop living dead.
If you have accepted Christ, then live the new life. As believers our choices should reflect that we are dead to sin, yet we often neglect the new. Walk in the newness of life that God has for you.
Choose life.
- Choose peace by being a peace maker.
- Choose joy by sharing joy with others and allowing the fruit of joy to grow in your heart even in difficult times.
- Choose the right way, even when the wrong way is easier.
- Don’t allow people to dictate how you will act or react, choose to live every area of your life alive to God’s way.
- Energize your faith with Scripture.
- Read it.
- Think about it.
- Apply it. Ask God to help you when applying it, is tough.
- Live alive with the life of God flowing into every area of your life.
An important name.
And just like the newest little prince had to have a really significant name. It was a tough job, so they gave him three names.
God gave Jesus a really important name. Too often people use His name as profanity, but one day every knee will bow in reverence. But as a believer are you using His name? Don’t ignore it. Use it. Speak that name. There is power in the name of Jesus. Jesus is a calming name. I’ve used His name so many times, when my babies would be crying and fretful. It was amazing to feel their little bodies relax as they quieted in response to that name.
I’ve taken His name into tense situations and sensed a calm. I’ve called His name in close-call emergencies and sensed His help. Use His name.
Phillipians 2:9 NIV Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
A meaningful name.
His name gives us a glimpse into his nature, his character and his strengths.
Isaiah 9:6 NIV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Do you need a counselor? Seek His counsel!
- Do you need peace? Receive His peace.
- Whatever you need it’s found in Christ Jesus.
- Ask Him. Receive from Him.
And the good news, not new news, but good news is “God is With You!”
No, really. God is with you. Realize and captilize on the fact that God is with you! How does that change how you live? How does that change what you expect?
Often I start my prayer time by reminding myself of that fact. I say something like, “Thank you that you are Jehovah Shammah. You are with me. I take your presence into my day. Because you are with me I have everything I need for today.”
Matthew 1:23 NIV “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Talk to me. How does knowing that Immanuel, God is with you,
change how you live?