Adopted by God (Galatians 4:1-5)

Today's scriptures: Galatians 4:1-5

Before Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law, believers in Jehovah God needed guidance—“guardians and managers.” And that guidance came through the Law. Without the Law, God’s people would have behaved like children, easily influenced by the “elemental things of the world.”

Think of the attention span of most young children. One moment watching cartoons. The next coloring. And then chasing the dog.

But then we grow up—hopefully. We make wise decisions and choices.

And the wisest decision we can make is to follow Jesus Christ. God the Father sent His Son to provide redemption for His children. We are adopted into God’s family, and as His children, we are guided directly by the Holy Spirit.

We can ask the Spirit to help us choose well, to help us follow the Father’s will.

Our Father’s will.

Blessed ... and Blessed Again (Galatians 3:6-9)

Today’s scripture: Galatians 3:6-9

Followers of Jesus Christ are blessed by God because we are His children.

Foremost, we are blessed with the promise of eternal life with our Lord and Savior, and I, for one, am looking forward to that.

But think of all the ways God blesses us each day. Or perhaps I should speak for myself.

I’m blessed with a supportive, loving husband. I’m blessed with caring, praying family and friends. I’m blessed with a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes to wear. I’m blessed with a job that allows needed flexibility and a vocation that encourages others.

And even through the difficult parts of my life, I’m blessed. I suffer from ill health, yet I’m blessed with the confidence that Jesus carries me through those days when I can’t carry myself. I don’t have children of my body, yet I’m blessed with many children of my heart.

Blessings through sunny days and mountaintop experiences. Blessings through storms and deep valleys.

All because I’m a daughter of the King.

My Abba (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22

It’s such an amazing thought: We are part of God’s household. We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings. Christ is the cornerstone of the church, and we are its members. That’s amazing, too.

I especially love the thought of being God’s daughter. I love my earthly father, but we don’t have that strong of a relationship. For a while, I struggled with the idea of a loving father, one who cared for me no matter what.

When I finally recognized how much God loves me—unconditionally loves me—I understood what a Father really is.

He is gentle, compassionate, and caring. He protects His children and provides for them. He’s a refuge when things are difficult.

I can crawl on my Father’s lap when I’m sad. I can reach my hand to Him for His strength when I don’t have any of my own.

I can’t wait until I see my Father face-to-face. What a moment that will be—in the arms of my Abba—my daddy.

The True Light (John 1:9-13)

Today's scripture: John 1:9-13

Yesterday, we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). He is our Redeemer, our Messiah.

He is the "true Light" available to anyone who accepts salvation through His death, burial, and resurrection. Yet, so many have not received this gift ... and so many more will refuse it.

We who follow Christ know that we have become "children of God" because we "believe in His name." And because of the grace we have been given, we should desire nothing less than to serve God and to help others find that same grace.

I've been focusing on how God is calling me to serve Him in this season of my life. I've been blessed to serve on worship teams and in drama ministries. I've had the privilege of leading a small group. Now that God has led me to a new church, I'm prayerfully waiting on His guidance to lead me to whatever area of ministry He has planned for me.

I desire to serve Him. But even more, I desire to be used by Him to reach others so that they too might see the Light, so that they too might become children of God.

As you reflect on yesterday's celebration, thank Jesus yet again for His sacrifice on your behalf. And ask how you might serve Him and reach others for Him.

Greater Is He (1 John 4:4-6)

Today's scripture: 1 John 4:4-6

One of my favorite encouragements: “… greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

No matter what this world throws at me, no matter how the enemy tries to tempt me, I can be confident I’ll overcome anything because the Victor is in me!

I am from God. I am His child. I listen to His voice, read His word, know His truth.

And because of the confidence I have in Him, I don’t need to worry or stress about what’s happening in this world that’s rapidly winding down. One day, this world will pass away. It will be no more. And all the ugliness and perversion and corruption will become nothing.

We who are His children will live eternally praising and serving our God. In a perfect new heaven and new earth.

I can’t wait!

A Child of the King! (1 John 3:1)

Today's scripture: 1 John 3:1

I love, love, love today's scripture!! I am a child of God! You are a child of God! You are a son or daughter of the Most High King! That’s how much God loves us!

He could have called us servants or slaves … or nothing at all. But He chose to call us His children. His dearly-loved children. When we accept the gift of salvation through belief in Christ’s death and resurrection, we are adopted into God’s family.

I have many friends who have adopted children. Some have “natural” children as well, but they make no distinction between those children who came from their bodies and those adopted into their hearts.

And once we’re adopted into God’s family, He makes no distinction either.

But the world certainly does. Non-believers don’t understand how believers are part of a family. They don’t recognize our kinship because they don’t recognize our Father.

No matter what the world may think of us, be grateful. You are God’s son. His daughter. You have brothers and sisters across the globe. Have you ever traveled and found yourself chatting with someone with whom you have an immediate affinity? And then you find out he's a believer too? It's such a blessing to find those brothers and sisters everywhere!

And even better? You are never alone, for your Father is always with you.

Your Father. Your Abba. Your Daddy.

Search Me, O God ... (Ps. 139:23-34)

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
         Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
         And lead me in the everlasting way.
(Psalm 139:23-24, NASB)

I’ve read these verses countless times. I’ve memorized them. I’ve quoted them. And yet I forget how profound these two short verses are.

Search me, O God, and know my heart …

I want to be intimately connected to my Abba Father. I want Him to be the focus of my thoughts, of my heart. I want every part of me to be open to Him.

Try me and know my anxious thoughts …

He knows the trials I face. He knows my struggles. He uses those to refine and mold me. But He also knows I can be anxious and worried at times—I’m only human, after all.

And see if there be any hurtful way in me …

God knows the deepest parts of my heart, those areas I hide from the world. He knows my weaknesses. I want to be free from any thought or action that would hurt others—or myself.

And lead me in the everlasting way.

As a daughter of the King, as a follower of Christ, I know—beyond doubt—where I’ll spend eternity. I’m going to be with my God—Father, Son, and Spirit—forever.

Amen and amen.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Ps. 139:13-16)

For You formed my inward parts;
         You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
         Wonderful are Your works,
         And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
         When I was made in secret,
         And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
    Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
         And in Your book were all written
         The days that were ordained for me,
         When as yet there was not one of them.
(Psalm 139:13-16, NASB)

Fearfully and wonderfully made. 

I often joke when I speak that many of us would agree with “fearfully.” I’m downright scary! you say. But that’s not what “fearfully” means. It means “awesomely.”

Awesomely. Wonderfully.

You are awesomely and wonderfully made. If you have a relationship with Jesus, you are God’s beloved daughter or son. God looks at you and sees such beauty. Have you stopped to think about that?

So often, all we see are the scars, the flaws, the wrinkles. We see the many mistakes. The hidden sin. The times we strayed.

But God doesn’t see all of that. Those of us who are cleansed by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial blood are as white as snow in the eyes of our Abba Father (see Psalm 51). He sees purity where we see sin. He sees beauty where we see ugliness. He sees awesome where we see a big ol’ mess.

Try and see yourself the way your Lord God does. Look through His eyes. Know that you’re awesome and wonderful. 

And you are.