Scripture:

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
(Romans 8:14–17)

Devotion:

In the United States, we live in a democratic society where our leaders are voted into office. But it’s not that way in some countries. You and I know that if a king rules over a country, that king does not ask the people of his kingdom to elect his son or daughter to be the next king or queen. If a king is in charge of a country, then the king’s child is the next in line to reign. In fact, oftentimes that child gets to rule in power with their father and mother because he or she is part of the royal family.

Well, as believers, you and I are children of God. We are new creations, a race of kings. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

The suffering mentioned in this week’s scripture has nothing to do with suffering sickness or suffering some disease. That’s not the suffering he is talking about in this verse. We are partakers of His suffering, meaning that we have to stand for what Jesus died to provide when He suffered on the cross.

We have to stand against persecution and believe what Jesus taught us—that we can have victory in every situation!

Prayer:

Father, thank you for “adopting” me into Your own family. I call You, “Abba, Father.” I stand in faith now to receive all the promises Jesus bought and paid for on the cross in my behalf. Thank you that I can have victory in (Name a situation or concern you have.) In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


This devotional is excerpted from Bill Winston’s book, Training for Reigning. To order this kingdom-empowering book, click here. Discover how you can learn to live a life without limits!