My Royal Supply Bag
Approaching Veteran’s Day, a question popped up from the past on my Facebook: “Would you be willing to fight and/or die to protect those you love?” Most, including myself, would quickly say “Yes”!
But there is the more difficult question: “Would you be willing to change for those you love?”
Would you choose to forgive instead of growing bitter?
Would you choose peace over strife?
Would you choose joy instead of sadness?
Would you choose hope over despair?
Would you choose to bless instead of curse or gossip?
Would you choose to be kind instead of being rude?
Would you choose to demonstrate love rather than hate?
I want to say “yes” to change. But trying harder doesn’t make change possible…. There may be behavior modification for a while, but true change comes only from within – it comes from the heart.
Peace, love, joy, kindness, patience, and forgiveness are only possible when they are flowing out of a relationship with God. I have access to them through my relationship with the King!
Addy, my five year old granddaughter, was playing in her room with a backpack filled with “stuff”. Her daddy asked her what the bag was for and her reply was “It’s my royal supply bag.” Inside the bag was her crown, a beautiful gown, some slippers, a wand, and a sword and various other “princess” necessities. Her daddy asked her, “Why do you need all this stuff?” Her reply, “Dad, I’m going to be a Queen one day!” Addy definitely sets her expectations high!
As followers of THE ONE TRUE KING, our expectations should be HIGH! Christ gave His life for our ability to have heart change.
We have a royal supply bag with us at all times. John 14:17 tells us that His Spirit dwells within us – His Spirit IS our never-ending supply of His truth, forgiveness, peace, joy, kindness, and hope. When we access those royal supplies, His love will be on display in our lives!
Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” The word “renewing” means a total renovation. If my mind is going to be renewed resulting in true heart and behavior change, I MUST renovate my mind with His word!
If I want peace in my home instead of constant strife, I need to meditate on His words of peace and allow His peace to flow out from me.
If I want to experience true forgiveness for others rather than bitterness, I need to remember the forgiveness He has extended toward me and His forgiveness will be produced in my life.
We all have a royal supply bag that was given to us when we entered into a relationship with Christ. This royal supply bag was costly………….it cost the Almighty King of the universe, his one and only Son.
- Put on the garments of praise instead a spirit of despair: Isaiah 61:3
- Put on His robe of righteousness instead of spirit of shame: Isaiah 61:10
- Fight your battles with the sword of the Spirit instead of words of hate: II Corinthians 10:3-5
- Embrace the King as your Abba daddy instead of living with an orphan spirit: Romans 8:16-17
- Walk in His peace instead of anger: James 1:20
- Walk in God confidence instead of fear: Romans 8:15 and II Timothy 1:7
We have those “supplies” at our disposal – but we must access them by saying “Yes” to renewing our mind with His Word and allowing Him to change our hearts!
