A few thoughts from our sermon on Sunday...
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
Ephesians 1:4-8
Knowing and acting as true sons/daughters of God will experience a depth
of relationship with Christ and one another that mere “slaves” will not.
If you know and act as an adopted child of God you will:
1. Be fearless and have powerful Freedom in your life, work and play.
Rom. 8:15
2.You will know you have Full Access to God and pray about everything.
Rom. 8:15
3.You will live out of the abundant wealth of your Future inheritance in Christ.
Rom. 8:19-23
4.You will have a graceful handling of trouble in your life. Heb. 3:11,12
5.You will have the confidence and assurance of Christ’s acceptance.
Have you ever been sitting in church listening to the sermon and feeling like the Pastor is speaking directly to you? Its as if the Pastor got in your mind/heart, and learned what you have been struggling with and decided to preach on that very thing just for you....? Well, that was my experience this week.
I have some very serious false ideas/views of God's character. A.W. Tozer says, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” I agree with that statement. I think that our view of God effects the way we think about everything else in life... it effects how we live life. So now that I realize that I have been believing lies about God... and I realize how its effected me.... now what? I've lived in these lies for so long... how do I change my way of thinking to the truth? I know its only by the working of the Holy Spirit. John Piper says, " We are utterly dependent on the Spirit to make the promises of God more desirable to us than the promises of sin. And for that vital eye-opening, heart-changing work we pray every day." When those lies are ruling my head and heart, I'm pleading with the Holy Spirit to remind me of who he really is, and begging him to prove my false ideas of him to be wrong. I need him to remind me that he chose me before the foundation of the world... that in love he predestined me for adoption so that I could be his daughter.... and to remind me of the forgiveness and grace that he lavished on me. Most of all, I want to know that no matter how good/amazing/beautiful God's gifts are, that the best gift is the gift of himself.
weary but hopeful...
jess
2 comments:
This is a raw, beautiful post. I love your heart!
The other thing to remember and apply is something else Piper says in that passionate voice of his,
"ALL God's children ARE coming home!"
(based on John 6:37, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.")
He has begun a good work in you, Jess, and He WILL finish it!
Here's the exact quote, "The ransom has been paid, and when a ransom for men has been paid by the Son of God, what He bought IS coming home! He does not purchase meaninglessly or in vain. Not one drop of blood will be wasted!" from Sovereignty of God, John Piper
Post a Comment