Pastor Jim Shields
Sanctuary Ministries

Romans 8:17 And since we are his children, we will share his treasures–for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering..

We are the children of God…and if children, then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…

I don’t know how many have participated in the dispensation of property and possessions after the death of a loved one.  It is always a complicated endeavor involving the parsing out of money and things, trying to abide by the wishes of the deceased – wishes that have been written, clearly stated, or merely implied.  Wishes mentioned to one person at one time and to another at another time, but with a completely different intent – usually ending up with feelings hurt and relationships severed.

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Pastor Morgan Murray
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church

Romans 8:15-16 So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family–calling him “Father, dear Father.” 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.

I’m not adopted.  On a family vacation one summer I met distant relatives. I began to introduce myself but my great aunt said, “No need, honey. I could spot a Murray in a mud hole.” By my looks, my behavior, my strengths and my weaknesses I reveal my family of origin, whether I like it or not.

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Pastor Rich Terherst
Lighthouse Regional Church

Luke 4:9-11 Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say, ‘He orders his angels to protect and guard you. 11 And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.’”

Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you,’ and, ‘
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

In the Luke account, the third temptation that the devil set before Jesus was “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here.” Prove it! I dare you!

Then the devil begins to quote scripture from Palms 91:11-12, promising angelic oversight and divine protection. You mean the devil knows the bible? Yes, but he twists the scriptures with deception for his own purposes.

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