IN THE "IMAGE OF GOD"

From the Introduction of
Noble Plans: Living as Heir to the King

Christians talk about being the “King’s kids” and title vacation Bible school programs by the same name. Believers wonder what it will be like reigning and ruling with the King of kings when the Messiah comes to His throne. Catholics and Protestants alike call our heavenly Father “King,” acknowledging at least in principle if not in practice, His boundless sovereignty. Yet why do so many miss the mark when it comes to living life in accord with our spiritual and scriptural
royal lineage?

I believe that there is within each and every person, both inside and out the community of the redeemed, a deep and residing passion for personal nobility; a nobleness mirrored in the One in whose image we were created. Every person on earth, as the Scriptures tell us, is created in the “image” of God—the Lord of the universe—and as such, we have implanted within our core the image of nobility, a resemblance of the Sovereign Creator. If the Almighty God, Supreme Ruler of the universe and King of all the earth is the image reflected in us, then by default, we have within our souls the potential for a most royal bearing.

"The noble man devises noble plans and by noble plans he stand"

M'LADY

My lovely wife bears the legal title, “Lady” under Scottish law and she has the certificate to prove it. She has never been to Scotland. In fact, she is 100% Italian. But she owns a small plot of land (it could accommodate a lawn chair, it is so small) that affords her the privilege to use the title “Lady.”

Of course, it was a birthday gift several years ago, and a well received one at that, but here it makes for a wonderful illustration.

Centuries ago, the only way a woman could gain the title “Lady,” or any royal title shy of being the king’s princess, was to marry into one. Now before anyone thinks me a chauvinist for bringing it up, it remains true for everyone who claims Jesus as Messiah.

We all, whether man or woman, are the betrothed Bride to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Our inheritance as the Bride, with the prophesied privilege to reign and rule with Him is wholly dependent upon the holy Bridegroom. To that end, all who call on Jesus as Savior and Lord, bear the title prince and princess, lord and lady.

Now imagine if you will, what would life be like in the Body of Christ if we all thought of one another as regal inheritors of the Throne – far from common and everyday – but noble and high? How might relationships change if we recognized one another as royal?

Now that’s a noble plan! Give it a try, and leave comments here how it changes you!

"The noble man devises noble plans and by noble plans he stands."

WHAT IS MISSING IN YOUR LIFE?

There is a secret waiting to be discovered. There is an ingredient lacking in the lives of many Christians today, and few are able to recognize why their salt has lost its flavor. Believers zealous for the Lord and serious about their relationship with Jesus have dabbled with books to increase their borders and find a purpose for their life, but they have not yet touched the deeper spiritual reality waiting for them.

What is missing in the Christian life that makes the difference individually and in our congregations? The secret is found in one biblical concept – nobility.

From the Netflix to the local bookstore, shelves are filled with the answer. It’s been staring you right in the face the whole time but because it’s so obvious, it’s easy to overlook. Best-sellers have heroes— champions for truth, justice, and the American way. Box office hits promote the kings, queens, prices and paupers who rise up to defeat the odds, hold on to their integrity and principles, and overcome. The answer is universal, and it’s deeply routed in both our culture and in biblical themes throughout the Scriptures – nobility.

Spiritual nobility is not something into which a person is born, but is a quality, a characteristic that requires a noble plan, determination, and faith. As the prophet Isaiah writes, “The noble man devises noble plans, and by noble plans he stands” (Is 32:8).

Today’s believers need a noble plan, and Noble Plans: Living As Heir to the King, gives men and women of faith the tools they need to transform their lives, their families, and their congregations. Noble Plans reveals the hero within, and helps you realize your fuller potential as children of the King of kings.

"The noble man devises noble plans and by noble plans he stands."

PRINCESS POWER

“Kings’ daughters are among Thy noble ladies” (Psalm 45:9).



Okay, I admit it. I refer to each of my daughters as “princess.” Yes, it’s a stereotypically “dad” thing to do and I am exceedingly pleased to use the label. I likely always shall.

Sadly, in today’s world, “princess” is also oft considered chauvinistic. In my opinion, that’s a deleterious move to once again rob young women of dignity and respect. The thinking goes that if she is a “princess,” then she needs a prince to save her.

One might think that the princess appellation would be driven from our culture, relegated to history books and twisted into examples of female oppression. In fact, there is a move afoot to erase it from our cultural expression.

Thankfully, that’s unlikely to happen if the Disney Corporation has anything to do with it. Last fall I attended a workshop by marketing guru, Ira Mayer. His inside information is that every three years, Disney rotates their marketing campaigns between fairies and princesses. Why would they do this? Because they know that within the heart of every little girl, lives a princess waiting to get out.

In Noble Plans I write: “I believe that there is within each and every person, both inside and out the community of the redeemed, a deep and residing passion for personal nobility; a nobleness mirrored in the One in whose image we were created. Every person on earth, as the Scriptures tell us, is created in the “image” of God – the Lord of the universe – and as such, we have implanted within our core the image of nobility, a resemblance of the Sovereign Creator. If the Almighty God, Supreme Ruler of the universe and King of all the earth is the image reflected in us, then by default, we have within our souls the potential for a most royal bearing.”

Of course, “prince” and “knight” resonates in the hearts of boys in much the same way. Robert Lewis writes, “Who among us as boys didn’t thrill to the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table? The knight survives in our collective consciousness like an ancient Superman, committed to a code of conduct . . .” (Raising a Modern-Day Knight, (c) 1997, Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, IL, p. 12)

As noted in the verse above, the psalmist speaks of the King’s daughters. The king in this context is of course, God Almighty, making the daughters what? Princesses. These daughters are among God’s “noble ladies.”

But here’s the crux of the matter. As a society, we have relegated knights and princesses to the world of children. Let’s be honest. We all want to be lifted up. Somewhere inside you is a prince or princess waiting to be released.

“He raises the poor from the dust, And lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, With the princes of His people” (Psalm 113:7-8).

Don’t wait any longer. Be that person. You are royal. You are of a supreme lineage!

“The noble man makes noble plans and by noble plans he stands”

FEASTING

"He that is of a merry heart
hath a continual feast."
Proverbs 15:15

If you're like my family, dinner is decided by the one with any energy left. Through the ages, meals have typically been a time to reconnect with family and loved ones. But in this day and age, it's often a matter of what can be tossed in the microwave before someone has to be shuttled to, or picked up from, the next event. The busyness of life can be the very enemy of making and keeping noble plans.

Back in the early 1990s, we adopted the idea of a royal feast. Every Friday evening the rigors of the week are set aside for a sumptuous meal. We're pretty frugal every other day of the week, eating a lot of inexpensive and convenient meals. But on Friday night, the taste buds can't wait.

The regular dishes are set aside for platters, glasses for goblets, and the counter top is set. There's the roast, usually at least 3-hours in the oven so the meat is juicy and tender. Sumptuously simmered garlic mushrooms, piping hot potatoes (or yams) oozing with butter, slices of tangy cheddar cheese melted over luscious green broccoli, and specially bought bread!

There are prayers of thanksgiving, a shared cup, a shared piece of bread, and a feast where we laugh and enjoy one another's company around a candle lit table. It is one of the rare moments in the week when all seems right with the world.

It's a noble plan that has served us well, that honors God, and lets us relax and enjoy what the Almighty has provided. Try it. You may find it becomes the one time of the week when everyone looks forward to being together!

"A noble man devises noble plans and by noble plans he stands."