“THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON!”

 Galatians 4:1-7                       (ESV)

Sons and Heirs

“[1] I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, [2] but he is under guardians and managers UNTIL THE DATE SET BY HIS FATHER. [3] In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. [4] But when the fullness of time had come, GOD sent forth HIS SON, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. [6] And because you are sons, GOD has sent “THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON” into our hearts, crying, “Abba! FATHER!” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through GOD.”

As I have written many times before, my earthly father and mother divorced when I was just over four years old.   My earthly father promptly moved to Canada to avoid paying child support.   Although I am told that I “inherited” some of my father’s traits, the quickest way to get me to change my actions was to let me know that my behavior resembled my father!!  Although I didn’t “know” him personally, my traits were evident that my father to create me biologically.  

Many of us don’t have the benefit of a father’s example to rely on as we mature.  GOD knew that my earthly father wasn’t the example HE wanted me to learn from, so HE made changes in my life that I needed.  ALMIGHTY GOD knew that I would search for HIM (Ephesians 1:3), so HE was always there for me!  I just had to “recognize” and worship HIM for WHO HE WAS!!

When we “recognize” WHO GOD really is, worship is the only thing we can do.  We have to finally admit that we are NOTHING without our LORD and SAVIOR infilling our lives and ILLUMINATING that is a duty, something that is a joy to follow through on!  

When our EYES ARE OPENED to SEE that “GOD has sent “THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON” into our hearts, crying, “Abba! FATHER”, we can SEE that HE CHOSE us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3) to be used for HIS GLORY!  I don’t understand why HE CHOSE me, but I am so BLESSED that ALMIGHTY GOD sent “THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON” to abide inside of this broken body!!!

“DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD!”

 Romans 12:2                     (ESV)

“[2] “DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD”, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND, THAT BY TESTING you may DISCERN what is the WILL of GOD, what is GOOD and ACCEPTABLE and PERFECT.”

Far too often I accept what “this world” offers as what Scripture is trying to trying to SPEAK to me rather than being TRANSFORMED by the WORD OF GOD, allowing THE SPIRIT OF GOD to TRANSFORM me into what is GOOD and ACCEPTABLE and PERFECT!  

What do the WORDS “DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD” actually mean anyway?  According to one dictionary, “To act, often unquestioningly, in accordance with traditional customs or prevailing standards” is what Scripture is suggesting we REFRAIN from?  In other words, DO NOT let this world “predetermine” the direction we travel in our lives!  Frustration, confusion, and SPIRITUAL defeat are the fruits of BEING CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD!  

The thing that can be unnerving about the RENEWAL OF OUR MINDS is having FAITH that the WILL OF GOD is going to lead us where we need to go, not where BEING CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD deems the best option.  What we see as our intellect might get us through “this world” with perceived success, BUT WE ARE NOT OF “this world”, we have been BOUGHT WITH A PRICE by our CREATOR (1 Corinthians 6:19:20)!!  Since we have DIED TO SELF, we should “DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD” but TRANSFORMED!!!

Micah 7:7

 Micah 7:7                         (ESV)

    “But as for me, I will look to the LORD;

        I WILL WAIT for the GOD of my salvation;

        my GOD will hear me.”

“OPEN MY EYES!”

 Psalm 119:18-24                      (ESV)

    “[18] “OPEN MY EYES”, that I may behold

        WONDROUS THINGS out of your law. 

    [19] I am a sojourner on the earth;

        hide not YOUR commandments from me! 

    [20] My soul is consumed with longing

        for YOUR rules at all times. 

    [21] YOU rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,

        who wander from your commandments. 

    [22] Take away from me scorn and contempt,

        for I have kept your testimonies. 

    [23] Even though princes sit plotting against me,

        YOUR servant will meditate on your statutes. 

    [24] YOUR testimonies are my delight;

        they are my counselors.”

As I occupy the office today, my wife is at the eye doctor getting a new set of eye glasses ordered.  Being able to see properly is a gift that we who are BLESSED with great eyesight don’t PRAISE GOD enough for.  When I had the Brain Hemorrhage in 2007 I was wearing “1.75” reading glasses.  Over the 15+ years since, my eyes have improved to where I now have “1.25” reading glasses which are too strong for me!

When we think about our SPIRITUAL EYESIGHT, some people have to wear prescription glasses to be able to SEE adequately, and some people don’t! Some cannot SEE adequately and are unable to recognize what others can plainly SEE!  The verses above explicitly say “OPEN MY EYES”, that I may behold WONDROUS THINGS out of your law!  

According to one commentary, Psalm 119:18 begins with:  “Open.—Literally, uncover, as if without Divine grace THE EYES WERE VEILED to the wonder and beauty of the moral law.”  There are “things” that we are unable to SEE unless our EYES are UNCOVERED by our CREATOR!  When we realize that our VISION is limited by what our CREATOR has UNVEILED to us, we are going to be able to SEE what HE has for us!  

Being in a coma for seventeen days does have certain benefits, especially when you are able to return to what most consider a “normal lifestyle”!  My physical vision has improved significantly since, but my SPIRITUAL VISION has drastically improved since I began to YEARN to HEAR from my CREATOR!  “OPEN MY EYES” doesn’t have as much to do with being able to physically see, but it has EVERYTHING to do with being able to SEE that which GOD is wanting to REVEAL to this humble servant!!!

“WHAT WE SEE!”

“THE ONLY TRUE GOD!”

 John 17:1-5                                     (ESV)

The High Priestly Prayer

“[1] When JESUS had spoken these words, HE lifted up HIS eyes to Heaven, and said, “FATHER, the hour has come; glorify YOUR SON that the SON may glorify YOU, [2] since YOU have given HIM authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom YOU have given HIM. [3] And THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE, THAT THEY KNOW YOU, “THE ONLY TRUE GOD”, and JESUS CHRIST WHOM YOU have sent. [4] I glorified YOU on earth, having accomplished the work that YOU gave ME to do. [5] And now, FATHER, glorify ME in YOUR OWN presence with the glory that I had with YOU BEFORE THE WORLD EXISTED.”

Recently a news article was posted that put forth the narrative that one coach’s prerogative on recruits would be more about WHO the athlete was instead of WHAT an athlete possessed skill-wise.  When the subject is considered in depth, making sure that a person has the abilities to perform at a level far above their rivals does them absolutely NO GOOD if they don’t possess what is needed to “get in out of the rain”, as was preached to me when I was younger!

In John the seventeenth chapter, JESUS was praying to HIS FATHER because HE KNEW HIS time “has come” (John 17:1).  JESUS wanted us to KNOW “THE ONLY TRUE GOD” and to follow HIS WORD and HIS INSTRUCTIONS for our lives!  KNOWING “THE ONLY TRUE GOD” is quite different than “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:5). When we truly KNOW “THE ONLY TRUE GOD” and permit HIM to CHANGE our lives to suit HIS PURPOSE, only then will we be used to GLORIFY HIS NAME!

Only when we are a part of the team of “THE ONLY TRUE GOD” will fulfill our mission to MAGNIFY and GLORIFY HIM.  KNOWING HIM is quite different than knowing about HIM!  May my life reflect “THE ONLY TRUE GOD” in everything I do and HE gain GLORY from my actions in the days that I am BLESSED to reflect HIM on earth!!!

“INCLINE YOUR EAR!”

 Isaiah 55:3-4                       (ESV)

    “[3] “INCLINE YOUR EAR”, and come to ME;

        hear, that your soul may live;

    and I WILL MAKE WITH YOU AN EVERLASTING COVENANT,

        MY steadfast, sure love for David. 

     [4] Behold, I MADE HIM A WITNESS TO THE PEOPLES,

        a leader and commander for the peoples.”

Could it “possibly” be that GOD’s PLAN is to make some of us a WITNESS TO THE PEOPLES, not for our glorification, but FOR HIS GLORY???  

The enemy doesn’t need to have us being at the forefront of the battle!  He just needs us to be listening to his agenda rather than what THE ALMIGHTY is directing us to do!

FATHER GOD, cause me to “INCLINE YOUR EAR”, and come to ME; hear, that your soul may live, and I WILL MAKE WITH YOU AN EVERLASTING COVENANT!!!