Tag: God the Father

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Romans- Week 8- Day 2- Romans 8:14-15

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  (15)  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.

Romans 8:14-15

Explanation:

God describes the special relationship that exists between those who are saved and Himself. The Bible describes being “born again”. In John 3, the Bible expresses that you have to born of the water (physical birth) and the Spirit (spiritual birth). When a person is born to the father they are a son or a daughter, and that is exactly what God calls us in verse 14. Those who are saved, who have been born again, have the Spirit of God living in them. They are then led by that Spirit and that leading testifies to them that they are the sons of God. We don’t have a spirit of bondage, fearful of the condemnation of our sin, fearful of God like criminal is fearful of the cops. Rather, we have an intimacy with God, as loved, adopted children. It is out of that relationship as adopted children that we cry out to God by a different name- Abba. The name Abba is an aramaic term of intimacy for a dad, much like “daddy”.

As a dad, I really resonate with this passage. When my son or daughters are struggling and crying, I want to come alongside them, take them up in my arms and comfort them. I want to teach them to do the right thing. I want to see them grow. I really resonate with John when he said,

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 John 1:4

I don’t want my children to look at me as a master to be feared, but as a dad to be respected, honored and loved. I want them to see me as someone who is helping them to love and follow Jesus because of my example and my words. I believe this is God’s heart as well. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. We don’t have a spirit of bondage, but rather a spirit of adoption!

Application:

To think that this is the Word that God chose for us to call Him! He called Himself Father. He calls Himself Abba for those who He has sent His Spirit to indwell, and illuminate and lead. We must be careful to pursue a real relationship with our loving Heavenly Father. We have been justified, given peace with God, and given access to God, all things that are needed to commune with God.

Closeness with God comes through communication, shared experiences and time. You can’t have a close, deep relationship with anyone without time. To spend time with God we get in His Word and we get on our knees.

Closeness with God also comes through obedience. He says that we are lead by the Spirit. It is difficult for the child to be close with their parent when they are being disobedient, rebellious and defiant. The right relationship comes through submission. He is our Father. We obey Him.

Response:

I’m going to take some extra time today, on a very busy morning, to spend some time communing with God in prayer. He’s my dad. I want His leadership in my day.

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Galatians Devotional- Deliver Us From Evil

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Devotion for January 21, 2014

Over the next few weeks we’re going to study the book of Galatians together on this blog. If you know someone who may enjoy doing this study with us, invite them to subscribe to my site.

Here are some quick facts about the book of Galatians to get us started:

  • Author- Apostle Paul

  • Galatians is an Epistle, or letter written by Paul to several churches in the region of Galatia.

  • Paul began churches in this region in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

Ready? Let’s get to it. We’ll start with the first 5 verses today:

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Paul begins by talking about the authority that has been given to him by Christ, and God the Father. Paul didn’t have any authority on His own. The authority he had came from the God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead! He wanted his readers to understand that He wasn’t speaking in his own authority. The following isn’t just his opinion to be considered among the other voices that had been speaking to them.

(2) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: (3) Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Grace and peace deal specifically with the gospel-the good news that we can be right with God. The grace of God is what brings the peace with God that every person needs.

(4) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

This grace and peace that we experience from God through the gospel is given to us by Jesus Christ who gave himself on the cross. Think about the fact that God gives us peace through the violent death and the shed blood of Jesus on the cross for our sins!
Often when we talk about the gospel we speak of its’ eternal effects. Certainly,the peace that is given through the gospel allows us to be able to spend eternity with God. But Paul here speaks of the how it impacts our life now to “deliver us from this present evil world.”

How does the gospel impact our daily life?

  1. Access to God- Because of the gospel we can talk to God every day!
  2. The indwelling Spirit- If you are saved the Holy Spirit lives inside of you convicting of sin and helping you and I to make Godly, Biblical decisions.
  3. Peace- Peace with God gives us the opportunity to have the peace of God. This world certainly is evil. There is so much that brings stress, tension, and conflict.

(5) To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:1-5)

The ultimate end of the gospel is that it brings incredible glory to God. Because of the gospel we can bring glory to God by allowing Him to live through us. By Christ dying on the cross He brought glory to His Father.

Question: How does the gospel impact your every day life?