OUR DAILY BREAD : FIRST STEPS

[cimi]

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25


FIRST STEPS

READ:
Romans 8:16
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The Spirit himself
testifies with our
spirit that we are
God's children.
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A friend stopped me the other day with some exciting news and then spent 10 minutes describing for me the first steps of her 1-year-old nephew. He could walk! Later I realized how bizarre we might have sounded to an eavesdropper. Most people can walk. What was the big deal?

It struck me that childhood provides a quality of specialness that nearly vanishes for the rest of life. Thinking about our treatment of children gave me further appreciation for the fact that God chooses the word picture of "children" to describe our relationship with Him. The New Testament announces that we are God's children, with all the rights and privileges of worthy heirs (ROM. 8:16-17). Jesus (the "one and only" Son of God) came, we're told, to make possible our adoption as sons and daughters in God's family.

I imagine God views each halting step forward in my spiritual "walk" with the eagerness of a parent watching a child take that very first step.

Perhaps when the secrets of the universe are finally revealed, we will learn an underlying purpose of watching children grow. It may be that God has granted us these times of specialness to awaken us to His infinite love. Of the fullness of that love, our experiences here on earth are mere glimpses. __Philip Yancey

**Loving heavenly Father, increase our awareness of Your love for us
and Your delight in us so we can show the world the difference
You make in our lives.

*************************************Today's Bible Reading __ Romans 8:14-17***************************
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the
children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not
make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather,
the Spirit you received brought about your adoption
to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit
himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs__heirs of God and
co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in
order that we may also share in his glory.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Notice in today's Bible reading the extensive
nature of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that the
Spirit leads us as God's children (v.14), enables us through
adoption to call God our Father (v. 16). It is one of the truly great passages in
the New Testament on the Spirit in our lives__and
one we should celebrate! ____Bill Crowder