I am a son of Abraham

Galatians 3:6‭-‬9‭, ‬14‭, ‬29 TPT

6 Abraham, our father of faith, led the way as our pioneering example. He believed God and the substance of his faith released God's righteousness to him. 7 So those who are the true children of Abraham will have the same faith as their father! 8 God's plan all along was to bring this message of salvation to the nations through the revelation of faith. Long ago God prophesied over Abraham, as the Holy Scriptures say: "Through your example of faith all the nations will be blessed!" 9 And so the blessing of Abraham's faith is now our blessing too! ... 14 Jesus, our Messiah, was cursed in our place and in so doing, dissolved the curse from our lives, so that all the blessings of Abraham can be poured out upon even non-Jewish believers. And now God gives us the promise of the wonderful Holy Spirit who lives within us when we believe in him. ... 29 And since you've been united to Jesus the Messiah, you are now Abraham's "child" and inherit all the promises of the kingdom realm!

I am a descendent of Abraham through faith, not through biology or religious law.  Abraham believed God's promise, not the law.  The law was given to Moses 4.3 centuries later.  Abraham was blessed because of God's promise, not because of the law.  Like Abraham, I believe God's promise, and I will share in God's promised blessings for Abraham (v. 9, 14, 29). 

The presence of Holy Spirit today for those who believe is the richest part of the blessings (v. 14).  How incredible!  God doesn't wait until after we die to share His Presence with us!  He gives Himself generously, and Holy Spirit guides us to step into the fullness of the promised blessings.

Father, thank you for sending Holy Spirit! Thank you for sharing your presence!  You are so generous!  You are a good Father, and you love to give good gifts to your children! What gift could possibly be better than your very Presence: Holy Spirit residing in our spirits?  Jesus, thank you for becoming a curse to remove the curse from us so that we could live to walk in the Father's promises and blessings! Holy Spirit, please help me keep in step with you. I love you.

Give thanks to the Lord

Psalms 118:1 NIV

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

I saw my wife crying because she was discouraged by the current housing market in two ways: first, that it seemed like there were already half a dozen offers on any house she inquired, and second, the offers were all way over asking price.  

So, I asked the Lord to bless us with a house for a good deal, in spire of the current market frenzy.

The next day, Brandi got a call from a lady saying that she would allow us to purchase her house significantly below her original asking price.

We went to look at the house that Saturday, and on Sunday, as we were praying for some visiting missionaries, I felt the Lord ask me if I believed it was an answer to prayer.  I felt awkward because the house is much nicer than what we were looking for.  

I think the Lord is trying to teach me that He is a good Father, and He loves to give good gifts to His children.

Many times when I see the sunset, I think of it as God's fingerprints, His craftsmanship. But what if, with an open heart, I can actually peer at a sunset and see His face?

Father, thank you for your extravagant generosity.  You are good and your love endures forever, regardless of whether or not you bless us with an amazing house. But I sure am glad to see several of my wife's childhood dreams fulfilled in this house. I love you.

Sanctification

I had a good conversation with Andres yesterday about entering God's rest and the connection to three aspects of salvation (justification, sanctification, and glorification), based on Hebrew 3-4.

This morning, I read this verse, and it reminded me of the importance of us devoting ourselves to the Lord in His process of sanctification:

2 Corinthians 7:1 TPT

Beloved ones, with promises like these, and because of our deepest respect and worship of God, we must remove everything from our lives that contaminates body and spirit, and continue to complete the development of holiness within us.

Father, I want to turn my affection toward you.  I want to be like you, as Jesus modeled for us.  Holy Spirit, lead me on further, higher, and deeper.  I love you.