God decided in advance
to adopt us into his own family
by bringing us to himself
through Jesus Christ.
This is what he wanted to do,
and it gave him great pleasure.
~Ephesians 1:5 NLT

Adjusting to life back home was rough after sailing on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

I mean, where else can you just leave your dishes for someone else to clean up… unless you’re a toddler, teenager or spoiled spouse?  Traveling on the cruise made me feel like I was part of the royal family and no time more than when at suppertime. As a girl who grew up at the racetrack, a table set for fine-dining can be a little intimidating. All those forks and knives used to overwhelm me but now I love it!

Here’s a little word-to-the-wise from Michelle, one of the nicest cruise officials you could ever meet to help you look like a fine-dining pro:

When eating from a table set for fine-dining: start from the outside and work your way in; one fork and knife set for salad or appetizers, the second set for your entrée, a small knife is for buttering your bread, a big spoon on top is there when you’re being served soup and don’t forget to leave the small cutlery on top for dessert.

 

Cruising Like Royalty

On our last full-day on the cruise, I woke up thankful for all the wonderful meals we’d had and how amazing the staff made us feel like family… family going from one banquet to another that is! As I laid in bed thinking about this privilege I was blessed to experience, I began to think about the day when I’ll really get to eat like royalty.

Your Royal Inheritance

The truth is; if you’ve received Christ as your savior, you ARE royalty!

[tweetthis]If you’ve received Christ as your savior, you ARE royalty![/tweetthis]

Our verse this week is seriously one of the best verses in the Bible. It’s almost hard to believe. God chose to adopt you. No one forced Him into it. He picked you out and invited you to be a part of His royal family! {STOP} Let that sink in a little… no, let it sink in a lot.

On the second to last night of our cruise, we watched the movie, Instant Family, with a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. The movie’s based on a true story of how a couple without any children (Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne) adopt three kids from Foster Care, sharing with them all the rights and privileges being a member of their family affords: a beautiful home, new clothes, delicious, nutritious food, and most importantly, unconditional love and acceptance.

Being adopted into God’s family changes your status and grants you, all the rights and privileges of being a child of The King. The crazy part is how simply by receiving Christ into your life makes you a member. No tricks, no gimmicks, it’s a basic fact of joining the family of believers.

[tweetthis]Being adopted into God’s family changes your status and grants you, all the rights and privileges of being a child of The King. [/tweetthis]

The truth that I am a member of the real royal family still blows me away! No other monarchy has at the head, the King of Kings. I’m so undeserving and yet somehow completely worthy because of Christ in my life… and you can be too!

The Invitation

One night at dinner on the cruise, my mother-in-law Bevie told us about a story she read from Guideposts Magazine here a woman was planning her funeral with her pastor and asked to be buried with a fork in her right hand. She said,

I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming…like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!”

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder “What’s with the fork?” Then I want you to tell them: “Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.”1

You’re all invited to join Christ’s family and one day attend the greatest banquet that will ever be served2.  The best is yet to come. So, take the right fork and use it to pick up the blessing God’s offering you!

Prayer

Father… Thank You for sending Your son Jesus to come and die for my sins to make me a part of Your family.  Your love, acceptance, and blessings overwhelm me.  I receive the inheritance You have for me and not miss out on all You’ve prepared for me because I don’t feel deserving.  Let my confidence come from my place in Your kingdom, as Your child.  I am a part… I am welcome… I am accepted… I am loved.  In Jesus Name…Amen

More than anything, I want to see you at the great banquet table talked about in the Bible.
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If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

 

Drawing From The Well

  1. Ephesians 1:5
  2. Isaiah 25:6
  3. Revelations 19:9
  4. Revelations 3:20

ENDNOTES

  1. https://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/life-after-death/why-do-people-say-keep-your-fork
  2. Luke 14:16-24Ref — Mt 22:2-14; Revelations 19:6-10, Revelations 3:20; Galatians 3:6-9; Isaiah 25:6

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Sherry Stahl