Journey

 Scripture Read. Romans 8: 14-17  ..."because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we say, " Abba , Father."  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Thought Applied.  1.)  Through the Spirit, our relationship is now that of a son.  2.)  The Spirit testifies that we are children, and therefor heirs of God and equal coheirs with Chirst.  3.)  IF we share in his sufferings, the we may also share in his glory. Application Made.  Pretty straight forward, but how do we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share his glory?  Is this more than joining Christ in baptism?...

 Scripture Read.  John 1:12  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Thought Applied.  You have to receive him (accept him into your life) and believe in his name (make him your God) in order to become his child - not his worshipper, but His. Application Made.  I have received Him.  I believe in His name, I have the right - and am - a child of God. Response Prayer.  Lord, thank you for being my Father.  I am grateful to be your child.

 Scripture Read.  Galatians 4: 4-5  " But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." Thought Applied.  ..."the full rights of sons."  Equal share of God's love?  Equal attention?  That all who are sons of God receive equally of His love? attention?  care? Application Made.  The full rights of sons.  But what does this mean?  In a human sense, it would mean property when the father dies, but God does not die.  In a mortal sense, we receive equal portions of God's wealth while alive.  Or, at least, our needs are met.  But is it the satisfaction of a fuller relationship?  That we're not second citizens in his realm, but first? Response Prayer.  Lord, what do we receive as rights as full sons?  What does that mean as physical people with a non-physical Lord?  These rights are now...and then?...

 Scripture Read.  Ephesians 1:5  In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Thought Applied.  It was always part of God's plan for us to become his adopted sons through our salvation in Christ.  More than us just loving Him, He loves us back. Application Made.  God wants more than a worship relationship.  He wants a familial relationship.  This was always his plan. Response Prayer.  Lord, it is easy to grasp the worship relationship.  This is reinforced it many forms - books, movies, even the church itself.  We worship as a form of thanks.  But you would also desire a relationship where you give as well as receive.  Help me to grow into this understanding and be one with your family.

 Scripture Read.  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Thought Applied.  God puts people with people, and is also a role-model to those who have no father. Application Made.  I'm struggling with this verse, as it switches themes. Response Prayer.

 Scripture Read.  Romans 8:15  For  you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry "Abba, Father." Thought Applied.  The spirit - which is the Holy Spirit - bonds/forms a relationship between you and God.  This relationship is not one of master to slave, in which you live in a respect driven by fear.  This relationship is one of sonship.  When a slave wants something from his master, he begs, hoping his master will grant the boon for reasons that belong to the master - perhaps pity, or seeing how he can benefit by doing so.  But a son asks, knowing the the father grants the requests because he loves his son and wants the best for his son.  Therefor we can ask, knowing that it makes God happy to give us things we want and ask for. Application Made.  While I might be concerned that God won't grant my request because they are not in align with his Will,...

 Scripture Read.  Jeremiah 18:6  "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the Lord. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." Thought Applied.  The analogy given here is not God being a potter to an individual, but to a Nation.  Torn down, uprooted, built up or planted.  Israel is warned.  Change - turn from your evil ways - or be destroyed. Application Made.  God does not act or think small.  He can make changes in our Nation.  When we pray for out nation, we pray for the people, the leaders, the land, the government. Response Prayer.

 Scripture Read.  Rev. 22:16  I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.  I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. Thought Applied.  Referring to himself in fulfillment of the prophecy of Balaam in Numbers 24:17.  The star in Numbers "will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth." When I read Morning Star, I do not think of the sun rising in the East.  Nor do I think that in biblical times they viewed the sun as a star.  I think of the weapon.  When Jesus refers to himself as a Morning Star, he is the crusher of foreheads. Application Made.  Jesus adamant stance makes it clear what those must do to gain salvation.  The dogs outside do not. Response Prayer.  Lord, you are strong.  You are a force.  You do not come lightly into the room or conversation.  You cannot be ignored.  You remove those who bar the way with wrong...

 Scripture Read.  Job 32:8  But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. Thought Applied.  The Holy Spirit takes us from knowledge to comprehension. Application Made.  I have moments with God.  I see people act in ways that they say are correct, righteous, or in line with God's will (or so they believe.)  If they are - or not - it is the breath of the Almighty that provides that wisdom. Response Prayer.  Breath of the Almighty.  Light, and yet powerful.  Give me understanding this week.  Help me to cope, understand, feel your presence.  Give me wisdom.  Connect the dots in my mind.  Be with me.

 Scripture Read.  John 14: 27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Thought Applied.  From the verses leading into this point, this peace comes from the Holy Spirit.  Jesus promises us the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit "will teach you all things", which I believe includes peace. Application Made.  Lots of things stress and trouble me.  I let it all roll around in my head, because I know it will calm down in time.  I'm usually very patient, knowing I don't have to act, I don't have to make a decision.  In time the anger passes, because it's hard to sustain.  I know that nothing good froms acting out in violent emotion, and I know that many have problems because they could not keep from acting out.  I've lost friends because they felt they had the right to act out in anger, and they say things in anger.  I di...

 2nd Chronicles 20:6 Psalms 66: 3,5-7 Jude 25 Romans 9: 20-21 Job 1:6-12 Job 2:1-7 Trial:  Lord, I believe you know that the biggest trial I'm dealing with right now is anger.  People frustrate me a lot, and how I feel about people frustrates.  I've gone from not caring (how others think of me) to caring.  I hold it in a lot; I bite my tongue a lot.  I feel angry about all the things I place upon myself to do and can't do.  I've found people that I used to like I no longer like.  I want to do more; I am able to do less.  I hurt, and this makes me angry too.  I get confused in the conversation - I feel embarrassed and confused.  People I thought I should respect I don't.  They fall so short.  And I'm mad at them too - leadership primarily at work, but also at church.  I'm mad about dumb things; about little things.  Maybe some jealousy too. I need help with all of this.  I need YOUR help with all of this.