Get Your Inheritance

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1: 12-14 KJV).



Too many times in our lives, we have committed wrongdoing, been subjected to shame, intimidation, and utter despair, all because we felt that we didn't deserve to be loved by God. We consistently do what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans:

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me (Romans 7:19-20).

We constantly remind ourselves through our actions that we were born in sin, and shaped in iniquity. However, God chose us (we didn't choose Him) from the foundations of the world, to be used for His glory! Even in our mess, He still has a plan for us. It's amazing how we always want to beat ourselves up for the things we have done.

When God chose us---after we realized who God was in our lives, we came into the knowledge of Him and we finally accepted Him as Lord over our lives to receive His salvation, He immediately clothed us in righteousness. We were forgiven from all of our sins, washed by the blood of the lamb, and positioned for all of the wealth, riches, and inheritance, including His grace and mercy. The word says we are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ! So we are positioned for our heavenly reward! Thanks be to God!

But not only that, God wants to bless you right now! However, what we say out of our mouths will be the determining factor as to what kind of blessings we will receive, if any at all. The word says in Colossians that if we continue to walk worthy of the Lord and be fruitful in all we put our hands to, while increasing our knowledge of the Lord (the word), He will give us power from on high to endure the tests and trials that we face. We are to do it joyfully, never doubting, worrying or wavering, because we are already delivered from the hands of the evil one (Satan). We have been transferred from darkness into the light! Amen! We have been redeemed! So get your inheritance! Everything that the devil has stolen from you--say STOP, NO MORE!

Satan does not have a right to your children--say STOP, NO MORE! He has no authority over your finances--say STOP, NO MORE! If you are wanting a new job, declare that it is so, and say to the devil, STOP, NO MORE! We are partakers of the divine inheritance!



Psalm 112:3: Wealth and riches [shall be] in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

Ecclesiastes 5:19: Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this [is] the gift of God.

So stop thinking negative of yourself and your situation. God loves you! You are His! He calls us His friend. Don't you know He will always take care of what's His! So, what are you declaring out of your mouth?

In His Love,

Do unto others...

How many times have you told a friend or two about what God has purposed in your spirit only to have that very thing stepped on by the words of ones you thought loved and cared for you? What about when others on your job laugh and talk bad about you behind your back--simply because of the jealousy and envy they have for you--because you obeyed your boss and did what your hands were perfected to do? They scandalized your name and spread evil rumors about you when you've done nothing to cause them to feel this way? You've shown nothing but love-- you share-- you even help them to get major projects done before the deadline, not wanting anything in return. It's just the love of God in you.

Now many times, when these situations happen, the first thing we want to do, is get back at them, tell them about themselves, and seek to clear our names. But God doesn't desire for us to do what he said he would do for his people, if we trust him, and know that we know that we know that he's for us. Think on these things:

"Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep...Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."(Romans 12:14-15, 17-21 KJV)

We're not to repay evil for evil or seek to get revenge. Because when we attempt to do that, we are stepping out of the will of God and deciding to do things according to flesh, which never wins. But we as children of God fight not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, and rulers of darkness in this world. We war in the spirit, for we are spirit, just made flesh. We have to constantly be mindful of that by praying without ceasing, and pulling down those strongholds. We shouldn't be mad at the people, associates, friends, co-workers, or family members that despitefully use and misuse us. They are operating in the flesh, and the devil uses those people to take us off focus for his plan and purpose for our lives. Yes, it may frustrate you to the point of truly wanting to curse them out. But remember we don't want to put that kind of language out into the spirit realm, nor do we want to grieve the Holy Spirit. We need to discern those wrongful interactions that may be trying to come and steal our joy and turn away from them.

In the end, the devil will have to go somewhere else to cause havoc while we're rejoicing, because when he thought he had us, we didn't give him the time of day. He will have lost that battle. We always win when we obey God and his commands! Praise the Lord!


In His Love,

An Act of Forgiveness

Asta Publications Announces, An Act of Forgiveness, the Highly Anticipated Children’s Book from Author, Lily L. Ratliff

Asta Publications releases, "An Act of Forgiveness," written by Lily L. Ratliff in March 2009. The paperback will be available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $12.95.

Lithonia, GA, January 29, 2009 --(PR.com)-- During one of Ms Frazier’s fifth grade bible lessons on forgiveness at Noah’s Christian Academy, Caleb daydreams about being constantly bullied by the school’s gang. They began teasing him when they found out he was living in a foster home. Caleb concentrates on doing well in school and helping his favorite teacher by doing small chores for her. One day Caleb stumbles upon intruders defacing and destroying the school’s computer lab. His main tormentor, Leander is accused by the principal of being involved. However, Caleb knows the truth and has to make a decision of whether to tell the truth or get revenge. Will Caleb be able to forgive those who have abused him?

While it is at its core a story of perseverance, pain, and character building, An Act of Forgiveness is also a challenging parable about the pitfalls of moral judgment, acts of kindness, and forgiveness.

His character is tested every time he is taunted, teased, and eventually beat up by bullies of the private school he attended, but still later on forgave them.

An Act of Forgiveness is being aggressively promoted to appropriate markets with a focus on the Children’s Fiction category. With U.S. wholesale distribution through Ingram and Baker & Taylor, and all-encompassing online availability through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and elsewhere, An Act of Forgiveness meets consumer demand through both retail and library markets with a suggested retail price of $12.95.

Additionally, An Act of Forgiveness can be ordered by retailers or wholesalers for the maximum trade discount price set by the author in quantities of ten or more by visiting the author’s web site at www.thelifeofalily.com.

Lily L. Ratliff is a professional speaker, entrepreneur, and the author of the inspirational memoir, The Life of a Lily: Growing in His Strength, Blooming in His Love, a Black Christian Book Distributor’s Top 50 Independent Publishers Bestseller. She was a finalist in the 2008 Indie Book Awards and is a Cambridge Who’s Who of Professionals, Executives, and Entrepreneurs Honorary Member. By day, she is an educator and lives with her family in the Atlanta area.

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Contact Information
Asta Publications
Lily L. Ratliff
813-850-7333
astapubl@gmail.com
www.thelifeofalily.com

I Hope

I hope that I will always be for each person
what he or she needs me to be.
I hope that each person’s death will diminish me,
but that fear of my own will never diminish my joy of life.
I hope that my love for those whom I like will never lessen
my love for those whom I do not.
I hope that another person’s love for me will never
be a measure of my love for him or her.
I hope that everybody will accept me as I am,
but that I never will.
I hope that I will always ask for forgiveness from others,
but will never need to be asked for my own . . .
I hope that I will always recognize my limitations,
but that I will construct none.
I hope that loving will always be my goal,
but that love will never be my idol.
I hope that everyone will always have hope.

-Henri Nouwen

I read this poem and cried! This is ME! How many of you have hope like this?

In His Love,

Lily