Children of God

 

PRAYER PRACTICE

Breath Prayer - Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, grace, love, peace, etc. Consider using the list of spiritual fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work, and then begin reading today’s Scripture.

DAILY READING
1 John 2:28-29

DEVOTION/REFLECTION

Being vs. Doing

by Pastor Jeff Morlock

By way of background, John writes this letter to prepare his readers for Jesus’ second coming. It seems false teachers have infiltrated the church, leading some believers astray, eroding both fellowship and trust in the Christian community.
The church still faces these and other challenges today as we await Christ’s return.


But I wonder, when it comes to Scripture passages like this, do you ever think,  “What is the Bible telling me to DO here"? Perhaps you conclude, “I need to stay closer to Jesus". Or “I need to be more consistent in doing what's right." Recovering “fixers” like me will always be tempted to believe that if we just work a little harder at living the Christian life, we can solve these problems. But the truth is, I can’t even fix myself. My old sinful nature always trips me up, reminding me that I don’t have what it takes.

Accordingly, John is not calling Christians to DO something here as much as he is encouraging us to BE who we already are as children of God - literally, “my born ones”. It is God’s action in Christ that gave us spiritual rebirth. When you forget that - when you forget what he has done for you in making you righteous, it’s easy to think that you did it yourself, or can do it yourself. But even before the Lord gave the 10 Commandments, he reminded his people,  “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the land of slavery”. When we forget what the Lord has done for us and what bondage he has broken in our lives… when we forget what he has set us free from, we start abiding in ourselves and our own inadequate abilities rather than in him. And nothing changes. But when we stay close to him, when we rely on him, then as his helpless children, we are right where he can do us the most good, and use us for his glory.

Prayer: Lord, remind me how defenseless I truly am on my own against the temptations of the world and the lies of the evil one.  Make me and all believers steadfast in your Word and fill us with your Holy Spirit, so that when Jesus comes, we may be found faithful, confident, and unashamed. In his name and by his power, Amen.

Child of God

Read 1 John 2:28-29

Most of my adult life I have found my identity in what I do. Joe Valentino: “Minister of Youth,” “Parks and Recreation Director,” “Assistant City Manager,” “Executive Director for Ministries.” After I got married, I started to learn part of my identity was wrapped up in my relationships: Peggy’s husband, Josh and Tori’s dad. Even as I walked the dog in the neighborhood I was Bernie's or Max’s owner. I have struggled my entire life to live into my identity. Who am I? Jay and Vera’s kid, the owner of the big white house down the street, good teacher or preacher, friend, brother, good cook, leader, etc.

In 1 John 2:29 I began to find my true identity: “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” I am born of God; I am a Child of God! And in chapter 3 of 1 John we find: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” My true identity, child of God! And I know He loves me. Join me this year in living into our identity as CHILDREN of GOD!

QUESTIONS:

1. Where do you get your identity? Who do people think you are? Do others see you as “Child of God”?

2. Have you ever just crawled up into Father God’s lap and sat with Him—no agenda just enjoying time with Him? How about today?

PRAYER:

Father God, thank you for choosing me to be Your child. Help me to take some time now just to sit with You, my Father.

Joe Valentino