Children Of God

December 23rd – Galatians 4:4-5

Galatians 4:4-5

The apostle Paul tells us that at just the right time, God sent His only Son into the world so we could become beloved members of His family. That means Christmas is more than a celebration of Jesus’ birth. It’s also the celebration of a family being born. A beautiful, grace filled family that welcomes all who receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Once we were enemies of God. But because of Jesus, we are no longer left on the outside looking in. Now through His shed blood, we are adopted sons and daughters of the most high God. This makes Christmas so much more meaningful. Causing us to rejoice not only for the gift of our Messiah, but for the gift of belonging. For being chosen, deeply loved, and called God’s very own. Through God’s kept promise, what once felt distant was brought near. A perfect love poured out freely, not because we earned it, but simply because He alone is good. And when I think about that, my heart bursts with gratitude. Gratitude because grace has made us family. And above all, gratitude to God for His precious Son Jesus. Our Savior, our friend, and our brother.

Reflection Question: How does knowing you are fully adopted into God’s family change the way you see yourself this Christmas?

Prayer Prompt: Father, thank You for sending Your Son at just the right time. Thank You for adopting me into Your family and loving me so freely. Help me live with gratitude and praise, honoring Jesus. My Savior, friend, and brother. Amen.

December 23rd – Galatians 4:4-5 Read More »

August 28th – 1 John 3:1

Week 4 – Living In God’s Love (1 John 3:1)

Once we were enemies of God, separated by our sin and rebellion. But in His boundless mercy and love, God did something incredible. He saved us through the precious blood of His Son, Jesus. Think of that! God didn’t just rescue us. He went even further, calling us His very own beloved children. No longer are we outsiders or adversaries, but cherished members of a heavenly family. Living in His love, and sharing in His eternal inheritance. This is a reality so profound that the world cannot fully understand it. They may see our faith, but they cannot grasp the depth of our relationship with God. A relationship rooted in grace, love, and a new identity as His children. We belong to a family that transcends earthly ties, united by the love of God, who sees us not as we were, but as we are now, redeemed and beloved. This transformation is the heart of the Gospel, a mystery that the world may never fully understand but one that we, as God’s children, get to live out every day.

Questions For Reflection –

  1. How can we embrace and live out our identity as God’s beloved children, allowing this truth to shape our self-worth and daily interactions with others?
  2. In what ways can we reflect the love of our Heavenly Father to those around us, helping them to see the beauty and significance of being part of God’s family as described in 1 John?

God calls us His children, and that’s the sweetest title we could ever have! 🙏🏻❤️

 

 

August 28th – 1 John 3:1 Read More »

July 25th – Romans 8:38-39

Romans 8:38-39

Pastor Woodrow Kroll once said, “With the power of God within us, we need never fear the powers around us.” One of the greatest weapons the Enemy wields is fear. Fear that we are unlovable, too dirty, too sinful, or too broken to be of any value to God. This fear can paralyze us, keeping us trapped in insecurity and self-doubt. But the apostle Paul’s powerful affirmation dispels these lies, reminding us of our irreplaceable value to God. His unbreakable faithfulness assures us that nothing in existence can sever His love for us. This divine assurance liberates us from fear and insecurity, grounding us in the truth of God’s unwavering love. When we internalize this truth, we find the courage to overcome Satan’s lies, embracing our identity as beloved children of God. God’s steadfast love transforms our fears into faith, empowering us to live confidently and purposefully. In Christ we are eternally secure, cherished, and valued beyond measure. And free to fulfill our God-given destiny without fear holding us back.

July 25th – Romans 8:38-39 Read More »

July 1st – John 8:36

John 8:36

Being free in Jesus means experiencing liberation from the chains of sin, guilt, and condemnation. Not a religion but a relationship, this freedom transforms our lives by shifting our identity from slaves to sin to beloved children of God. It grants us the ability to choose righteousness over sin, guided by the Holy Spirit rather than our own flawed desires. Our choices become reflections of this freedom, aligning with God’s will and purpose for our lives. We no longer live in fear of judgment or rejection because our acceptance in Christ is secure. This freedom empowers us to love others selflessly, pursue peace, and embrace joy, no longer constrained by worldly pressures or past mistakes. It fosters a deep sense of purpose and direction, encouraging us to live boldly and authentically in our faith. Ultimately, being free in Jesus allows us to experience the fullness of life He promised, characterized by a deep, abiding peace and an unwavering hope in His grace and truth.

July 1st – John 8:36 Read More »

February 20th – 1 John 3:11

1 John 3:11

In the New Testament we are commanded no less than 13 times to love one another. That’s how important it is to Jesus for the children of God to cherish each other. But for fallen people living in a fallen world with a fallen nature, that’s a tall order. Nevertheless, it’s what we called to do. Thankfully, God doesn’t ask us to do the impossible. That’s why the moment we receive Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells us and gets busy. Instantly He begins the work of transforming us into the image of Christ from the inside out. Tenderly God’s Spirit remolds and reshapes our hardened, worldly hearts, into ones softened by the love, mercy, and grace shown to us by our Lord. He does this so that we might be set apart from the world. Loving others with the same enthusiasm, abundance, and joy that, “by this everyone will know that you are My disciples.” (John 13:35)

 

February 20th – 1 John 3:11 Read More »

November 29th – 1 John 3:1

1 John 3:1 

I am thankful to call God my Father 

Jesus came to be our perfect substitute. Taking our place, He paid our sin debt allowing us to be redeemed to the Father. Because of His sacrifice we are not only forgiven of our sins, freed from the burden of the Law, we are also adopted as sons and daughters into God’s heavenly family forever. Imagine that! No longer called slaves, but heirs to the kingdom through the blood of Christ. But it gets even better. In one of my favorite verses Paul says, “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying ‘Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:6) Abba is an Aramaic term which closely translated means Daddy. What a privilege to be able to call God, Daddy! As sinners on our own we can never be worthy of being in His family.  But because of Jesus not only does God accept us, He calls us His own. And in this gift giving season, God’s gift of adoption is one I am forever thankful for.

November 29th – 1 John 3:1 Read More »

October 27th – Romans 8:16-17

Romans 8:16-17

God’s Promise – “Jesus is happy to share His inheritance with you.”

We’ve all heard the saying, “you can pick your friends but you can’t pick your family.” But God in His goodness gives us the chance to do just that. Because once we choose to receive Jesus as our Savior, we become adopted heirs into God’s family. His beloved children reborn through the blood of Jesus. The Holy Spirit who comes to indwell us, testifies before the Lord that we are His. And we receive the great privilege of calling God, “Abba, Father!” Better still, we become joint heirs with Jesus to all the glories of God’s kingdom! Our Father in heaven never intended for us to walk through this life alone. That’s why He created families. And He longs for each of us to join His. To receive His perfect love, comfort, and guidance. God invites us to climb unto His lap, and rest in the arms of a loving Father. The One who gave His only begotten Son to offer adoption papers to the world!

October 27th – Romans 8:16-17 Read More »

August 7th – 1 John 3:1

1 John 3:1

God didn’t hold back His goodness waiting for Saul, the persecutor of Jews, to become Paul, the apostle of Christ. Instead He showed grace, love, and kindness to Saul while he was knee deep in his wretchedness. Because God doesn’t want us waiting to come to Him until we’re “all cleaned up”, and ready to go. He wants us to come to Him as we are, dirty, broken, and hurting. To leave the cleaning up to Him. For He showers us with His Spirit who washes us anew, working to mold us into the image of Christ. The truth is, in our own wretchedness we could never get our filthy rags clean enough to stand before Almighty God. So in His unmerited kindness and love, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ. Through whose shed blood we can be transformed from a Paul to a Saul, and most wonderful of all, be called children of God.

August 7th – 1 John 3:1 Read More »