Hasn't anyone told you--you're adopted? This really is good news! Just look at your memory verse for this month: Galatians 4:4 & 5."But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (RSV) Look it up; and if you read on from there you'll see that our adoption is so secure we get to call God "daddy" right away. That's the meaning of abba.
The Jewish people call themselves the sons of Abraham. They put a lot of faith in genetics
to get them closer to God. You see Abraham's faith was considered righteousness by God.
See Romans 4:3. Unfortunately genetics does not make a spiritual son ship.Read Matthew
3:9-10.That was John the Baptist's warning to the religious leaders of his day.Jesus had even stronger words for these proud leaders. Try reading John 8:39-47. You see God makes us his sons because we honor him and do as he asks, because we love him. We know how
much he loved us and we can't help it when we know Jesus. Abraham was a great man; God spoke to him as a friend. See Exodus 33:11. Yet we have the opportunity to get even closer to God through Jesus.Oh the wonder of being God's adopted sons and daughters!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Feb07
I've been fighting this subject as my next article all month long, dragging my feet and finding every excuse in the book. God always wins the war. My heavenly father knows best.
After saying God is our father - and I'm thrilled with that idea; I find I must add - God disciplines us. Why?!? because he loves us! Your memory verses say just that.
"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11 & 12
Discipline is a controversial topic. There are many different ideas about how strict or lenient one should be. Discipline has to be done with love. Sometimes the word hot is not enough;so a parent who strikes a small child's hand about to touch a hot stove does so to prevent greater harm. If that same child later,does burn the hand, perhaps he or she will appreciate and understand why the hand was smacked before. We become responsible adults by learning from those who discipline us. That's the learning that leads to self-discipline the beginning of adulthood.
Reading the Psalms check out number 51, this is a prayer of repentance written by David.
His understanding of God's love for him is what we all need to grasp. He was sorry for what he had done because he knew how much God cared for him. David had a very open relationship with God in the Psalms. Sometimes he asks God to go kill off all the wicked people, but if you read on sometimes he realizes he is one of the wicked too. We have met the enemy and we are them! May God continue to have success disciplining you and me both. Keep reading his word-It helps.
After saying God is our father - and I'm thrilled with that idea; I find I must add - God disciplines us. Why?!? because he loves us! Your memory verses say just that.
"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11 & 12
Discipline is a controversial topic. There are many different ideas about how strict or lenient one should be. Discipline has to be done with love. Sometimes the word hot is not enough;so a parent who strikes a small child's hand about to touch a hot stove does so to prevent greater harm. If that same child later,does burn the hand, perhaps he or she will appreciate and understand why the hand was smacked before. We become responsible adults by learning from those who discipline us. That's the learning that leads to self-discipline the beginning of adulthood.
Reading the Psalms check out number 51, this is a prayer of repentance written by David.
His understanding of God's love for him is what we all need to grasp. He was sorry for what he had done because he knew how much God cared for him. David had a very open relationship with God in the Psalms. Sometimes he asks God to go kill off all the wicked people, but if you read on sometimes he realizes he is one of the wicked too. We have met the enemy and we are them! May God continue to have success disciplining you and me both. Keep reading his word-It helps.
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