children of God SOL 1-28-16

To see yourself as a child of God is truly an empowering belief.

When I was a child, I knew that my parents loved me. I didn’t have to do anything to earn their complete dedication, support, training and love. That’s security.

Likewise, as a father, I loved my children simply because they were my kids. They didn’t have to do anything special. They were loved, cared for, supported, educated, encouraged, disciplined, etc.  They received all the “benefits” of family membership simply based on the merits of being our progeny.

How much infinitely better it is to receive the benefits of being adopted into the family of God! We receive more than we could hope or imagine –  favor, blessing, intimacy, fellowship, healing, forgiveness, provision, compassion – on and on it goes!

Yet, as John notes, many rejected the gift of God.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. John 1:10-11 (NRSV)

Like Adam and Eve, we have the free will to be in a healthy relationship with God – or not. When the direction of our living  is towards God, there is blessing. When we move away from God, there is darkness.

When we make that defining choice to “receive Him”, and all that means in terms of love and obedience, we become more powerful than we could imagine.

But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12

In this Season of Light, renew your decision to be born again, to believe in his name.

You’re part of the family.

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About Season Of Light

I am writing a devotional series called “Season of Light” (#SeasonOfLife) during the beginning of 2016, focusing on the 40 day season of Epiphany (from January 6 – February 10). We’ll explore the major biblical themes of the beginning of Jesus ministry, and I’ll comment as the Holy Spirit inspires. This is for the purpose of growing in our relationship with the Lord. My desire – my hope and prayer for you – is that your heart may expand and your spirit grow brighter as we seek to be filled with the knowledge and presence of God. So, I invite you to join me on the “Season of Light” journey!

Often I’ll be inspired by a scripture from the Daily Audio Bible readings and use that as a writing prompt. Here’s the DAB readings for January 29: Exodus 7:25-9:35; Matthew 19:13-30; Psalms 24:1-10; Proverbs 6:1-5

Our church is also on a reading plan of four chapters per day, starting in the New Testament. Today is John 9-12.