As Real as it Gets

You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child?gal4:6/peterson-the message

Before a century would pass since the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ the known world would be turned upside down. The leaders of the new church would lead the way as multitudes of followers of Christ, spoke of and lived out, the gospel message. The spreading of the message was not always embraced with eagerness. The religious belief systems in the lands would not crumble easily. The cost to the church was the blood of thousands of faithful followers.

What was it that empowered the followers of Christ? Was it the acceptance of a new religion? Was it the acceptance of a newly martyred leader? Was it even the word of his followers who witnessed miracles and hung on his every word? I believe that Jesus himself was present, alive and indwelling his followers. His presence, poured out on the day of Pentecost, empowered believers to face the terror of torture, the collaseum, and forms of execution that were considered barbaric, even in a barbaric world.

One of the greatest treasures enjoyed by believers in Jesus Christ is the witness given to us by the indwelling Holy Spirit. John Wesley spoke of a warming of his heart as he understood and knew that God, yes, even God, loved him and called him his child. Every believer in Christ can experience this truth of God. The God of all creation, the Preserver and Governor of all things impresses upon the human spirit His acceptance of sinful, yet forgiven, individuals. There can be no doubt of the communication of God to individuals. It is one of the most profound, and undeniable evidences, given by God to man.

The witness (communication) of the Spirit to our spirit is not a singular experience. Followers of Christ can and do testify to this blessing and confirmation taking place many times. It is not the mind of God that any should doubt or wonder if they are loved by God and accepted and adopted into his eternal family. The witness of the Holy Spirit brings confirmation that my confession of Christ is accepted.

What a wonder it is that you and I have the very Impress of God upon our lives. His Spirit witnesses to my spirit that I am loved and adopted. Having direct knowledge of adoption, our Ana, I marvel at this truth. Adoption is the willing choice to love one outside of the family. Then, to bring them into the family with all rights and joys. The joy of being included, included in love, fellowship, communication and eternal care.

The presence of God's Spirit is the presence of the Spirit of Jesus. He told us that he would never leave us nor forsake us. It is Jesus Christ, the second person in the Triune Godhead, who lives within us, who speaks his truth to us, who guides us, will continue to transform us as we listen to his voice. His voice, at times quiet as a whisper, at times confirmed in scripture, at times from a believing friend, always speaking truth. His truth enabled multitudes to stand firm in the face of opposition and death. May it be so with us.

Discerning God pt5

The intended purposes of God are not always understood or lived out. Even characters in the New Testament had struggles. This piece will take a look at a couple of examples where two apostles needed to be re-directed. It is to be noted, that after Pentecost, it was the Holy Spirit that communicated most of the direction and purposes of God. An entire piece will be devoted to the ministry of the Holy Spirit as he pertains to guidance and direction.

I find the Apostle Paul's ability to understand the will of God remarkable, yet he is still able to be mistaken. In the book of Acts we find the writer giving us details of a time when Paul was mistaken about what he should do. He was wanting to travel into Asia and communicate the gospel message. His intentions were pure, honest and God honoring. Yet, he is expressly told, "No".  After the Holy Spirit closes the door to Asia and Paul understands, he is directed to the open door of Macedonia.

The importance of the closed door to Asia and the open door to Macedonia can not be over emphasized. If Paul had not listened and obeyed the Spirit's directive there may have been a much different portion of the New Testament, known as Paul's Epistles.

Paul travels to Macedonia and we find a very important series of events take place. In the city of Phillipi he finds a gathering of women having a time of prayer down by a river. Paul speaks about Christ and a prominent business woman, Lydia, listens and believes in Christ. Giving us her name is very important, in that Paul's words to her show no bias because of gender. In fact, we know her name and her husband who also believes, remains nameless. He is moved by her and stays with her family for some time. By following the direction of God we have the, "Epistle of Joy- Phillipians." The events in Phillipi will eventually bring Paul to Rome and Caesar.

The understanding of the direction and purposes of God can be ignored. The Apostle Peter is a classic example of a man at his highest and lowest. After walking with Jesus for three years and hanging on every word he can still do things contrary to Jesus. After Pentecost and the revolutionary movement of God, Peter finds himself the central figure in the young church. The communication of God's redemptive plan is spreading among Jews and Gentiles alike. This plan, the universal spreading of the gospel, has the approval and blessing of all of the apostles.

The book of Galatians gives us the sad story of Peter failing to stand for the very truth he sanctioned. He disrespected the very people he was directed to by showing partiality towards Jewish believers. He is rebuked to his face and a lesson is learned and taught.

Paul will listen and obey all the way to the executioner. Peter will follow Christ's leading right up to, and past, being crucified upside down.