Who are you?

• But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right / authority / power / privilege to become a "Child of God". John 1:12
• For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  Romans 8:14
• The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Romans 8:16

These verses from John and Romans are powerful affirmations of the Christian identity as children of God. They offer the Biblical basis for understanding how believers are integrated into God's family.

1. John 1:12 - highlights the transformative power of receiving Christ. The original Greek word used here, "ἐξουσίαν" (exousian), can be translated as "right," "authority," "power," or "privilege." This emphasizes the profound change in status for those who accept Jesus: from being separated to being granted the divine right to be called children of God. This status is not just a title; it confers the authority and liberty inherent in being part of God’s family.

2. Romans 8:14 - identifies a key characteristic of those who are children of God: they are led by the Spirit of God. This is not just about passive belief but active guidance by the Holy Spirit in daily decisions and actions. Being led by the Spirit indicates a life that is responsive to God’s direction and presence, marking the believer as part of God's family.

3. Romans 8:16 - Here, Paul speaks of the intimate reassurance that the Holy Spirit provides to believers. The Spirit Himself affirms the believer's identity as God's child, which is a deep spiritual experience of assurance that transcends external proof. This internal testimony is crucial for personal faith and identity, confirming the believer’s status in a way that is both personal and profound.

Together, these verses affirm the standing of believers as children of God and outline the dynamics of this relationship: it’s received through faith in Christ, evidenced by following the Holy Spirit’s leading, and confirmed by the Spirit’s testimony within us. This understanding can be a central theme in understanding your relationship with God, as it encapsulates the transition from knowing about God to experiencing His reality and guidance in your life.

The New Testament provides several passages reinforcing the concept of being a Child of God. The idea of being "Born Again" and evidencing believers as children of God. Here are some significant scriptures that further explore these themes:

1. John 3:3-7  Jesus Himself introduces the concept of being "born again" in His conversation with Nicodemus. He explains that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again, emphasizing the necessity of being born of water and the Spirit. This spiritual rebirth is distinct from physical birth and is essential for entering God’s Kingdom.

2. 1 Peter 1:23  Peter talks about being born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. This passage highlights the role of God’s word as a living force that brings about spiritual rebirth, transforming believers into new creations.

3. Galatians 3:26-27  Paul explains that through faith in Christ Jesus, all believers are children of God. He elaborates that those who have been baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ, signifying their new identity and status as God’s children.

4. 1 John 3:1-2  John marvels at the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God—and that is what we are. This passage not only affirms the identity of believers as children of God but also reflects on the profound nature of divine love that makes this relationship possible.

5. 1 John 5:1  John states that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. This highlights belief in Jesus as the Christ as the essential criterion for being considered born of God, linking doctrinal affirmation with spiritual rebirth.

6. Ephesians 1:13-14  In this passage, Paul speaks about believers being marked with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. The presence of the Spirit is a marker of divine ownership and a child’s status in God’s family.

These scriptures collectively illustrate the multifaceted biblical understanding of being born again and the assurance of being a child of God, which involves spiritual rebirth, faith in Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and transformation through God’s word. These foundational truths can be powerful points of reference in understanding your journey as a "Child of the King."

Intimation? Inklings?

INTIMATION: the action of making something known, especially in an indirect way.

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him...

 
INKLINGS: a slight knowledge or suspicion; a hint.

Have you ever thought "I think God is trying to tell me something"? If so, understand it is the Holy Spirit's way of drawing out those who are serious about their relationship with Him from those who aren't.

Christian Mystics and Now!

I've enjoyed the books of several Christian "mystics". Andrew Murray, Watchman Nee, and A.W. Tozer. These are people that God gave spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear. And they shared God's heart and mind, how God felt, and what He thought to their generation.

Their asceticism was simple and did not bring glory to themselves. They knew God, and the things of the world had little appeal to them.

Now...
The mysteries of the believer's union with the Father through the Holy Spirit are being made clear to all of us.

Hebrews 8:11. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 

Acts 2:17-18 ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Revelation 19:9. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

1 Cor. 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

God has a sense of humor.

The other night I lay in bed and realized how little I understood when compared to God's perspective and understanding. The current circumstance had made me realize this. (Christmas Day 2019)

Then a thought came to mind about the scriptures that mention that God creates the hearing ear and the seeing eye. Then I heard the Holy Spirit say "you'll begin to see better in 2020" Get it? 20/20 vision. I chuckled, then laughed.

I realized then, I didn't need to worry. God had it in hand!

PS. 06/28/2020 He has "Everything" in hand. The global shaking is His "Threshing" floor.

Who is the enemy?

Ephesians 6:12  For our battle is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. 

IT IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE. Fought in the Spiritual realm. It is only successful for us in the physical realm, who have been born of the Spirit, when we proclaim "Not my will but yours be done" and then trust and obey His guidance in that moment.

https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-realm.html

Born Again. Earthly things?

John 3:1-12 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”


9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?