Significant: Salt of the Earth

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. Matthew 5:13, ESV

Salt is significant for at least two things. Historically salt has been used to preserve food. Meat was salted to prevent corruption. Salt is also significant for adding flavor and variety to something that would otherwise be bland.

Christ tells his disciples that they are to be the salt of the earth. The earth and all that is in it has been corrupted by sin. That includes us. To think that God can use me to resist corruption is amazing. I can be use as a force for righteousness. Such an accomplishment would have to be directed by the hand of God.

The Christian can also enjoy the joys and significance of eternity brought into normal daily life. No matter how routine, that which is done for Christ is significant.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Google Search Box

Been a while since I've updated here. Let's hope that changes since there is much more to be said. I'm trying to clean up some issues with the template as well. My apologies for the google search box that is too wide for the left column. Still trying to figure out how to change that. If you know how, maybe you would be so kind as to post a comment here.

Thanks,
Dennis

Security: Born of God and Untouchable

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.

I John 5:18 ESV
18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.

Some comments based on the John Gill's commentary:

That person born of God is regenerated by His Spirit and grace. He is quickened by His power. Christ is formed in him and he is made a partaker of the divine nature - based on every grace implanted in him.

When you consider this list of characteristics that the child of God enjoys, you can see how the believer is strengthened against sin and protected from the evil one. Even though he 'does not keep on sinning' as a routine practice, there will still be occasions of sin in his life. But he will not live in sin, nor will he stay under the power and dominion of sin. This is clearly how a believer can enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit in a way that the unsaved person will never know.

'He who was born of God'. The Vulgate Latin reads, "the generation of God keeps or preserves him"; that is, that which is born in him, the new man, the principle of grace, or seed of God in him. Think of the 'generation of God' as that which eminates from God. This translation keeps the focus on God's preserving grace imparted to the believer.

No man can keep himself by how his own power and strength. God only is the keeper of His people, and they are only kept safe whom He keeps, and it is by His power they are kept. But the other sense of this passage is that the believer keeps himself by seeking out and relying on God's grace offered in His promises. God is the source and the ultimate victory, but yet God places an expectation upon His people to avail themselves of that grace.

The wicked one, Satan, cannot come and wound to the heart, or destroy that principle of life within him. Satan may tempt him, and sift him and buffet him, and greatly afflict and grieve him - even so, Satan is limited by the hand of our loving Heavenly Father. The saints know their perseverance from the promises of God and the declarations of Christ.

We know that the child of God is alive in God, and enabled by His grace to have victory in the battle. If we are following the commander, wearing the armor and relying on Him, then we can be secure and confident that God will be our sovereign protector.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Security: Grace and Mercy in Time of Need

I can find grace and mercy in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

First a few comments on the context of this verse. If we go back to verse 12, we are told that the Word of God is living and active, able to cut into the very deepest part of our being. Verse 13 tells us that no creature is hidden from the eyes of God. Every aspect of our life and being is available for his scrutiny - and judgment, for to Him we must give account.

Verses 14 and 15 talk about our great high priest who is now established in heaven, but yet this same high priest can fully empathize with us. He was fully tempted and yet did not sin.

First there is God's Word to faithfully show us who God is and who we really are. Then we see the sovereign God watching and knowing everything about us. God's Son Jesus conquered the cross and death and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, yet He knows our struggle here below.

If you approach the throne of grace with a sincere heart, and come believing and trusting in only the blood of Jesus Christ your Savior, then you need not be alarmed at the Sovereign God who holds people accountable for their sin; for the blood of Jesus has removed all of your sin, and you now wear the robe of His righteousness.

There is grace and mercy at the Father's throne. This is not grace and mercy to merely solve our problems, which it does, but grace and mercy so that we may enjoy a true heart to heart relationship with our loving Heavenly Father.

No matter the sin, the believer is confident that the blood of Jesus can cover that sin. The barrier is gone - run to the throne!

God Bless You,
Dennis

Security: Power, Love and Sound Mind

II Timothy 1:7 ESV
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

This verse talks of how God has equipped His children, His Saints, His loved ones, His Servants. A fear of man or evil would be a hindrance in the service of God, so the Holy Spirit moves us beyond that fear.

Rather the Holy Spirit equips our minds and hearts with power so that we are able to endure hardness like good soldiers of Jesus Christ.

As one of the mentioned fruits, the Holy Spirit also produces love in our hearts. This is a love of God, His Son and the fellow saints in the church. Those who have this love seek not their own ease and credit, but rather live for the Glory of God and the good of the saints and of mankind.

We are given a mind capable of learning the principles and doctrines of the Word. This mind is driven by God's wisdom and Word; not the passions of man which are often out of control. The evidence of a sound mind will show itself in how we live. Sound conduct and behaviour is sobriety, moderation, temperance, purity, and honesty. Equipped with a sound mind, we will not easily give ground to the enemies of our faith, or neglect our duty because of fear.

The Holy Spirit teaches us to fear God rather than to fear men. So take assessment of your mind and heart. Is fear of any kind ruling the roost? Or are you experiencing the power, love and sound mind installed and maintained by God's Holy Spirit?

God Bless You,
Dennis

Security: I am a citizen of heaven

Philippians 3:20 ESV
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 2:6 ESV
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:19 ESV
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Christians must live a life of dual citizenship. Like all people on earth, they enjoy the benefits of citizenship in their own country. These include identity, community, protection, and some elements of provision. Even though these are benefits worthy of our gratitude, they will come mixed with problems and failings common to anything man undertakes.

Christians are called to live with their heavenly citizenship fresh on their mind, as well. Your first thought might be of citizenship when you leave this world and enter heaven. The Bible is very clear that believing Christians enjoy this heavenly citizenship now. In fact, it says that we are currently seated with Christ in the heavenly places. Of course, this is a spiritual truth beyond our comprehension, so we will just take God at His Word.

We are citizens of heaven - "the kingdom of Our Lord and of His Christ." We enjoy fellowship with our God and membership with His community - the church. God is the governing authority and the command, rule, protection and provision needed by His church is always available.

Citizenship is another way that we can understand and enjoy our relationship with God. It is one of many and brings new perspectives to us as we compare with earthly citizenship.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Security: The Good Work will be Perfected

I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected.

Philippians 1:6 - ESV
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:10 - ESV
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The good work is certainly God's work of grace in a believer. Actually the work begins with a non-believer, for all are dead in their trespasses and sins. Only God can start this work of grace. It is a wonderful blessing that we can be the workmanship of God, for God's work is perfect, He makes no mistakes and He leaves no job half done. The believer that understands the sinfulness of their own hearts is quick to realize that this work begun by God, must be carried on to completion by God. So we readily accept the fact that we are forever dependent on God for this good work, which is designed to bring the greatest good to our lives. God has chosen to do this work, He is more than willing and able to do it perfectly.

Let us then gladly spend time in prayer and the Word, seeking to understand our God and the work He is currently doing in our lives. May all of our thoughts, words and actions line up with God's blueprint.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Security: Hidden with Christ in God

Col 3:3 ESV
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

2Ti 1:12
12 ... But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

I Peter 1:3-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

There is much that can be said about our life in Christ, and about Christ who is one with the Father, being in the bosom of the Father. Our life with Christ is both present and eternal.

From the eternal side, our eternal life in Christ with God the Father is like a most valuable treasure. It was given to the faithful by God the Father and it is far too valuable for us to manage. So it is safely stored away with the Father. No one, absolutely no one can touch it. Thus we can be confident that someday we will lay our hands on it.

However, eternal life does not start after we die. Even now, today, the believer shares in that eternal life. The Holy Spirit within is eternal and living. The believer is in Christ who is living. Just as the branch draws life from the vine, so too we draw all that we need for our new, spiritually alive relationship with the Father from the Holy Spirit and our new life in Christ.

God's will is always accomplished. His will includes both the eternal life that we receive now by the Holy Spirit and the eternal life we will enjoy for eternity.

Live for God Almighty, not for yourself or things of this world. He has saved you and given you life for a purpose. Pray that His purposes will be accomplished in your life.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Security: Established, Anointed, Sealed

I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.

II Corinthians 1:21,22 ESV
21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,
22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.


As we think of our faith, we must remember that it is God who establishes our fatith and gives us this relationship in Christ. He gives us the ability to hope in Christ and He gives us grace to lean upon his promises.

Believers are anointed because the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon us. In addition any believer that is walking with the Lord will be living a life directly influenced by the Holy Spirit. In Him and this anointing, we live and move and have our being.

By definition, a guarantee is something you can trust for a desired outcome. That's just what it is. In our tainted world, we have come to believe that the trustworthiness of a guarantee is the exception, rather than the rule. Not so with God. He is not tainted in the least, and the sinfulness of man has no power over what God desires to accomplish. In addition, the surety for this promise is Jesus Christ Himself and He is Truth.

God Bless You as you consider your position in Christ.
Dennis

Security: I Cannot Be Separated from the Love of God

Romans 8:35-39 ESV

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In verse 36 Paul gives the clear example of being in very difficult situations and yet knowing that he is more than a conqueror. He must state that by faith, but that faith is built on the firm bedrock of God's love for him. God's love, like God Himself, is perfect. There has never been a mistake. The 'Children of the Heavenly Father' have never been forsaken.

Think on God's love today. If you are one of His, then rejoice that nothing that happens in your life can tear you from His hand of provision and protection.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Security: No Condemning Charges Against Me

I am free from any condemning charges against me.

Romans 8:31-34 ESV
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

It is God who has justified the believer. The single highest authority that ever has or will exist has justified those who believe, so who can question it. To satisfy His own holiness, this justification was accomplished by Jesus Christ' death, burial and resurrection. Jesus Christ is now reigning at the right hand of God the Father and this shows that the work was perfectly accomplished.

So solid is our justification in reality that it cannot be touched. Yet we are in a battle while yet on earth. Satan and people will bring charges against us. They will question our faith. They will point out our failures over and over. They will attempt to discourage us, shame us and put us down. We must be able to recognize these attacks. Take what is told you and hold it up to the truth of God's word. If it doesn't match, throw it out! Remember what our Scripture says, "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?"

Fellow member of the elect, be encouraged in your walk with the Lord. Our salvation is so great. It was accomplished by Him and no man can touch it. Truly a treasure for us now (even as works in progress) and a treasure stored up in Heaven.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Security: All things work together for good.

Romans 8:28 ESV
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

This is one HUGE promise that can bring courage, faith, peace and joy in almost any situation. When a new believer begins to comprehend this verse, they have no option but to take it by faith. It is too big to reason out in our minds. After growing in our faith, and learning God's word, we gain more confidence in this promise. This confidence is not due to our being able to understand how it works. Rather, our confidence comes because His word has taught us who He is and what He is doing, and all this teaching only made possible by the Holy Spirit.

A short analysis of this verse:
We know - not wishful thinking, but knowing with no reason to doubt.
For those who love God - This is not just any person. They must be saved and have a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Romans 8:5 tells us that this 'love of God' is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That is only for believers.
all things - Yes it means all things. Everything that comes into your life - blessings, opportunities, trials, sickness, poverty, friends, enemies, kind family, mean family, new life and death, little tiny disappointments, major life-crushing tragedies. Because of God and His love for His children, and the fact that He is Sovereign, we really can trust that He will use each of these things for our good. We will trust Him to define good because He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Another source makes this statement: God's providence rules in such a way as to ensure everything that happens to us is working for our ultimate good.

called for a purpose - God's children are called for a purpose - even more than one. We are called to love and worship God, to serve and obey Him, to glorify Him with our lives here on earth and to worship and glorify Him forever in heaven.

If you are a Christian - read this verse, meditate on it and think about it until you can rest in the security of such a promise. The things that God brings to your life are not just circumstance. These things are hand selected by God and allowed to reach you for a purpose. It is for your good. Rejoice!

God Bless You,
Dennis

Security: No Condemnation Ever

Romans 8:1,2 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus [who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit].
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

First let me make a comment about vs. 1. The phrase that is in brackets is not in any of the early manuscripts. Therefore it was probably added as a comment at a later time. However, this is not too alarming, since the same phrase appears at the end of vs. 4.

Verses 8:1-4, along with Chapter 7 show how the law of "sin and death" has been deprived of its power to take believers into bondage. At the same time the holy law of God receives from believers a living obedience motivated by the wonderful work of our Savior.

Christ who knew no sin, was made sin for us, and those who believe in Him are made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor 5:21). This atoning work has changed us from the status of condemned sinner to some who is righteous, like Jesus Christ. In addition, we now stand one with Him. This oneness is a union of lives. Believers, through God's Spirit dwelling in them, are united with Christ just as the head and members of the body share one life.

Much more than we do, we need to meditate on the wonderful work of Christ on our behalf. We were transported by Him, from absolute condemnation to absolutely never being condemned. This is because God's wrath was satisfied (propitiated) at the Cross, and we need to thank God for that very often.

Is there security in these truths? Can you place your life in the hands of the Perfect One who best knows what you need.

God Bless You,
Dennis

djbtol On the Web

Glad to report to all my friends that I have a new website. Not only is it new, it is my very first. Now you must temper all expectations: this site is a baby and knows very few tricks yet. It is a start and I am glad to share it with you. Take a look. Hope you find something you like.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Accepted: The Review

To recap the ways that we are accepted by God:

• I am God's child
• I am Christ's friend
• I have been justified
• I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit
• I have been bought with a price - I belong to God
• I am a member of Christ's body
• I am a saint - a holy one
• I have been adopted as God's child
• I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit
• I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins
• I am complete in Christ

If I rephrase these, we may benefit from a different perspective:

• God has made me His child
• Christ has declared me His friend
• God has provided my justification
• God has made me one with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit
• God sought me out and bought me, at great price
• God has placed me into the body of Christ, in just the right place
• God has separated me out for His purposes and His glory
• God chose to adopt me, even though He knew all about my sin
• God give me constant access to Himself through the Holy Spirit
• God has provided my redemption and forgiveness through Jesus Christ
• God has made me complete in Christ with new life

This exercise was to drive into our minds that it is God who has made it His charge to care for His children. We must not take such wonderful grace for granted, or even worse taking credit for the good things in our lives.

Accepted

In the last several messages we have looked at numerous ways that the believer is accepted. The believer is wholeheartedly accepted by God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Not only is God accepting, but it is only by His plan and His grace that we are accepted.

In the dictionary being accepted means being treated as one that belongs, as one that satisfies the requirements and as one that is wanted. The same can be said about the believer.

The context of our discussion laid out in the beginning is that some of us have a problem with anger. Most people respond to an angry person by excluding them and pushing them away. Note the outstretched, accepting arms of Jesus Christ. If we strive to come with a humble, repentant heart, then He says to us, "Come to me, I will give you rest". In this context that might be rest from the anger that simmers in our heart, the angry response that we feel throughout our being and the angry response by which we sin against others. We cannot communicate God's message to others out of a heart of anger.

So we lay this piece of the foundation: Even with my sin, I am accepted by God the Father through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ and the powerful working of the Holy Spirit. We must pray that we can truly understand this and rejoice in it. The first step toward our healing is to receive the acceptance that Jesus Christ offers. Realize that what Jesus Christ has for us supersedes anything else we can imagine.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Accepted: Complete in Christ

Colossians 2:9,10 ESV

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

We are accepted by Christ. We are now found in Christ. We are made complete in Christ. Adam and Eve were perfect upon creation. Once they sinned by disobeying God the destructive force of sin began it's work and has continued to do so in all mankind. If we look at ourselves today, we may not even realize the ways that we are damaged goods because of sin's destruction.

Before Christ, not only were we spiritually dead, but also our physical, mental and emotional condition had deteriorated. It's all connected. Just as an unsaved person does not have a spiritual relationship with God, he also is not able to draw upon the wisdom of God in his life decisions. Rather, the unsaved person is marched around by the lusts of his flesh and the wiles of the devil.

In our salvation, at the point of regeneration, God brings life to that which has been spiritually dead. He places His Holy Spirit within us. We now have spiritual life. We are no longer dead. Our new life in Christ is furnished by the completeness that is in Jesus Christ Himself. We can now fellowship with God Almighty through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ and the indwelling power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

II Corinthians 5:17 ESV
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Although we must work to rid ourselves of the dead man's baggage, in Christ we are new creatures with a potential that is reminiscent of that first man and woman.

Let's walk with God daily and talk to Him, as He condescends to be involved in our lives.

God Bless You,
Dennis

Accepted: Redeemed and Forgiven

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins!

Colossians 1:13, 14 ESV

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The most significant and dire problem of every person that has ever lived or will ever live is that they are a sinner. There is a holy and righteous God that has a perfect knowledge of every sin each person has committed or will commit. This God is a Holy God and will not look lightly on sin. On the human side, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that the person can do to earn forgiveness. There is not one religion on this planet that will allow a person to get out from under their burden of sin. We are all born with a sin nature and we are part of the kingdom of darkness. Yes, the natural man is easily swayed and used by Satan. If you understand what I have just written, then you understand the word hopeless. Hopeless in terms of a present solution, and hopeless in terms of any good to look forward to in eternity.

Fortunately for many that is not the end of the story. The only way to get out from under the burden of sin is to cry out to God and ask for His mercy. God has a plan of redemption in place. His plan is perfect and required a perfect sacrifice. God could not be God and ignore the sin. The penalty for the sins of the redeemed had to be paid. So look at the cross. See Jesus Christ on the cross. See Him die and be buried. Then see him on Resurrection morning - He is alive, He is not dead! The sacrifice that Christ paid fully satisfied (propitiated) God's wrath reserved for the sins of the elect. The elect are those people God has chosen from eternity to be saved and brought into His kingdom.

Who are the elect? I cannot tell you. Are you part of the elect? I cannot tell you. All I can tell you is that salvation and redemption are only available through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and if you want that redemption, cry out to God, seeking His mercy. You do not go to God touting your own goodness, rather acknowledge your sinfulness and hopeless, and ask to be covered by the blood of Christ. Call unto God with a sincere heart and you can expect him to save you. This is more than just reciting a 'sinners prayer'. This must be a sincere seeking of God's mercy from the depths of your heart. When you see what a sinner you truly are, this will not be difficult. If you are not so convinced of you sinfulness, then ask God to help you see the truth about yourself.


God Bless You,
Dennis

Accepted: Direct Access to God

Direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

First we should consider the context of this verse. In this passage, Paul is talking about the fact that God was working to bring two different groups to himself. The Gentiles (those who were far off) and the Jews (those who were near). Because of God's promises to Abraham the Jews did enjoy covenant promises and blessings that the Gentiles had not yet been part of. However, in terms of righteousness, both groups were equally in need of a Savior, and both groups were to be reconciled to God the Father in the same way. That is through the blood of Jesus Christ. As God reconciled both parties to Himself, He also merged the two groups into one body - the body of Christ.

Comments from Matthew Henry on Ephesians 2:18
For through him, in his name and by virtue of his mediation, we both have access or admission into the presence of God, who has become the common reconciled Father of both: the throne of grace is erected for us to come to, and liberty of approach to that throne is allowed us. Our access is by the Holy Spirit. Christ purchased for us leave to come to God, and the Spirit gives us a heart to come and strength to come, even grace to serve God acceptably. Observe, We draw nigh to God, through Jesus Christ, by the help of the Spirit. The Ephesians, upon their conversion, having such an access to God, as well as the Jews, and by the same Spirit, the apostle tells them, Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners,

This passage describes the wonderful reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles and also contains truths for each believer. Through the work of Jesus Christ, our Mediator, we have access to God. More specifically we have access to God's throne of Grace. We come to God's throne to be reminded that He is sovereign, and to the throne of Grace, because that is what we desperately need. It was that very Grace that brought about our salvation, and it is the same Grace that we need every day all the time to live for His Glory. Grace is that undeserved favor, that multitude of blessings that God pours out on His children. Finally, no one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit gives us the heart and the strength to approach the Father. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to convince us of the Father's great love.

Believer, what will you do with this 'direct access'? Will you ignore it? forget about it? convince yourself that you do not have time for it? The 'direct access' is a gift from God to His people for a purpose. Shall we squander it today? If we get to the end of the day and have not at least once stretched our hand out to that throne of Grace, how can we believe the day has been what God intended?

God Bless You
Dennis

Accepted: Adopted - more scripture

The theme of adoption is throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament God often speaks of taking people that are not His own, and making them His children. The theme is also consistent in the New Testament:

Romans 8:14-17 ESV
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Galatians 4:5 ESV
5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

II Corinthians 6:17-18 ESV
17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

I John 3:1-3 ESV
1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

We have been adopted, we have the Holy Spirit of adoption, and we are most certainly Children of God. God wants to be a Father to us, and He wants us to be children to Him. Shall you reject such a perfect offer? Rejoice in these truths today, as you praise, thank and trust God with your day to day issues.

God Bless You,
Dennis