Who You Are in Christ

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The above picture is a Bible study on the Oceans Campus taught by Bryan Steel, principal of the school (seated at far right) with South African and US students. The blog below is a teaching he shared with us which I pray it will bless you as it did us.

A  while back my wife and I were registering our daughter online for her schooling. It was quite an ordeal that sparked lots of debate as one of the questions was what race the child is. It was also one of the required questions and you couldn’t go further in the registration without completing it.

Since we are in a so-called ‘mixed race marriage’. None of the available options were appropriate for our daughter, hence the discussion. This ordeal got me thinking about how within each one of us there is a desire to be accepted and known for who we are.

As believers we are children of God, but do we always know and believe this truth?

Romans 8:15-17 reminds us of our position in God’s family.

V15 says we have received the spirit of sonship. Sonship means adoption and it has been received so it is a gift. This verse goes on to say that “… we cry Abba Father…” Abba is an intimate greeting of a small child to their dad.

V16 says “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” There is no doubt, it is absolute certainty.

V17 tells us that, “we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…” We receive an inheritance from God Almighty. It also reminds us that being a Christian is not easy and that we will share in His sufferings but then we will also share in His glory.

I went and looked at the adoption that is mentioned and found something interesting. There was no adoption in Jewish culture at this time, the brother immediately became the head of the household if anything happened to a father. So, this adoption that is spoken about in these verses is a Roman concept and it carries a very powerful meaning.

In those Roman times, biological children could be disowned if the relationship was not necessarily desired by the parents, and it was then not seen as a permanent relationship. This concept of adoption was totally different.

Adopting a child in those times meant:

  • The child was freely chosen and desired.
  • The child was a permanent part of the family and could never be disowned.
  • The child received a new identity, and all prior commitments, responsibilities and debts were erased, and new rights and responsibilities were taken on.
  • The child became heir to the father and had joint shares in all possessions and they were fully united.

What does that mean for us as Christians?

As children of God, we are fully desired, we are fully loved, we have a new identity through the blood of Jesus, we are heirs of God and co-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. It means we can cry out Abba Father from the bottom of our hearts as we are in an intimate relationship as His beloved children. Our nature as adopted sons and daughters of God is intimately bound up in the salvation Jesus won for us. Through Jesus, the Son of God, we are brought into sonship and adoption.

Do you wholeheartedly believe this message yourself?

Do you know your position as child of God even when you have problems?

Do you accept that you are adopted into God’s family through the work of Jesus on the cross?

After much debate about that registration question ultimately a box had to be marked; but this information does not define who our daughter is.

What does matter is who SHE IS because of Christ.

What does matter is who YOU ARE because of Christ!

The gift of salvation and the gift of sonship are free for us, but came at a huge cost, the precious blood of Jesus.

Each one of us had a debt we could not pay; and because of His great love Jesus paid a debt He did not owe.

This is a message for my daughter, my son, my family and each on of you.

It is also a message we can share with everyone we meet!

Soul Praise – The Soaring Soul

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Truly the greatest Day in history! The last five Easters have been in South Africa, however this time I was back just in time to celebrate Resurrection day with family. As we were singing both old and new songs on Sunday my heart exploded with joy joining with family to worship our Resurrected King. A day where death, the demonic, and darkness was overcome!  A day when the stone was rolled away and Jesus walked out of the tomb and His eternal Kingdom broke forth!

Because of that Day we can join in with the Soul Praise of Psalm 103:1-5 and shout the victory for total forgiveness, inner healing, freedom from the dark power of sin, as we are crowned as sons and daughters of the King, and receiving Him as our soul satisfier, which leads to a life of where we can spiritually soar like eagles:

“You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again like a flying eagle in the sky!” (vs. 5 TPT)

I hope this past Sunday your soul soared as you joined in with millions all over the world lifting up praise for Resurrection Miracles. One of those miracles is the new and everlasting life we share with Christ. As the text says, “You’ve supercharged my life,” or as another translation puts it “You’ve made me young again!”

For those who put their hope in the death and resurrection of Jesus they become forever young with the resurrection Spirit of Christ bursting forth in their souls. Or as the text says they “soar again like a flying eagle.”  What a powerful picture of what it looks like to experience the gift of the resurrection with Jesus.

The prophet Isaiah expanded on this theme as He looked ahead to The Father’s Kingdom breaking forth in Christ’s Resurrection:

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint.” (40:31)

The powerful breath of the Spirit of the Father that raised Christ to life that Sunday morning has been given to us. We are no longer chained to sin and death but we are carried by the Spirit of the Resurrected Christ to soar with supercharged power of a new Kingdom. Like an eagle we can fly to new heights and experience the supernatural love, peace, and joy of the Heavenly Kingdom and the hope of our own resurrection when He returns a second time.

After a glorious resurrection service we went outside of church and were given little packets which held butterflies. A beautiful symbol of the transformational new life given to all those who receive Jesus by faith. As we opened the packets the butterflies were released and took flight and were freed to be what they were created to be. It was amazing to watch hundreds of butterflies color the Colorado blue sky.

Keep on reminding your soul to praise your Savior for all the blessings given to you through the Resurrection so that your soul will soar as it was created to for the glory of your King!

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His (resurrection) blessings…”

 

 

 

Soul Praise – The Satisfier

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“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul and forget not all His benefits…He satisfies your desires with good things…” Psalm 103:1-5

As we journey through reasons for our Soul to Praise this resurrection season we come to this amazing blessing. Our souls were created to overflow with deep satisfaction which comes from walking with our Father.

At times we choose to walk away from our Heavenly Father and instead search for other sources of satisfaction, and sadly our souls end up as a waterless pit with an unquenchable thirst.

But our Father gave His beloved Son, Jesus: and Jesus brought us back to the Soul Satisfier. And on Resurrection Sunday a door swung open for us to walk back into His Kingdom. Not only that, but we are also invited to sit at His table and gaze at His glorious love for us and shout out with David in Psalm 23, “I have everything I need in Him!”

This past week we had a team here in South Africa. On our last day together I asked them to share how the Father satisfied them on the trip:

“With the beauty of the landscapes, and the beauty of people’s hearts! The way they love, and how I can see God’s love has endlessly satisfied my heart!” – Ryan

“God satisfied me through powerful worship. The genuine joy & love poured into the worship and praise just fills my own heart with joy and satisfaction and it never fails to move me.” – Andrew

“The Father showed Himself in so many ways this past week but I see Him most in the hearts of the people filled with joy because of their relationship with Him.” – Brinae

“My soul was satisfied as we served and played with the kids at the Care Center. God was loving me through them.” – Chad

“I encountered God in the children we served and the mountains we hiked.” Anabelle

“God showed up in so many little ways all throughout our trip to South Africa, through His people and creation.” – Carley

 

“You haven’t gone to church until you have experienced it in Africa. They are passionate for God, filled with faith overflowing joy and it is contagious.” – Steve

“Seeing and watching our Father respond once again to the hearts of His children as they participate with South African brothers and sisters in worship, Kingdom work, and time seeking Him. His amazing ways of penetrating hearts and speaking to His children is always satisfying.” – Mike

How has the Father satisfied your soul with good things?

As you prepare for this Holy Week spend sometime letting your soul praise Him! May He be your Satisfier!

Soul Praise – Wearing the Crown

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I love this picture of my grandson and the banner which reads: “I Am A Son of the King – Who is not moved by the world. For my God is with me and goes before me. I do not fear because I am His.”

When our kids were growing up our family tradition was to always to ask each one before they left for school, “Who are you?” They would respond “A son” or “daughter of the King.”

We wanted them to remember their identity wasn’t going to come from accomplishments, grades, sports, or what any one else thought about them. It was based on who the Father thought they were. The Father saw their worth in Christ as royalty!

This is at the heart of what Holy Season is all about as expressed in Psalm 103: 1-5. Our souls can shout out in praise for the work of Christ who has brought total forgiveness to us, a powerful everlasting healing, and allowed us to break out of the grips of hell so that we can live as royalty.  Notice the second half of verse 4:

“He crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”

When the Father broke His Son out of the confines of the grave on Resurrection morning a new Kingdom exploded. And since that day everyone who receives that Kingdom by faith is crowned by the Father as His beloved sons and daughters. We share in Christ’s reign and royalty. We have been handed the mandate to live like empowered kings and queens spreading Christ’s love and mercy to the ends of the earth.

The past few days we have been blessed to have a team of young people with us in South Africa doing just that.  Hugging hurting children, feeding the hungry, worshiping with brothers and sisters from different back grounds, and making time to be still, listen to the Father’s voice, and be reminded that each one is special and unique son or daughter of the King.

It is hard to explain but something profound happens in hearts that begin to wear the crown and live it out. His Kingdom comes and invades the soul. His will begins to be lived out and heaven invades earth. The KING shows up and it makes your soul want to shout His praise.

My grandson can’t read yet but I know his mom and dad will remind him as he grows older of the truths expressed in the words posted above his crib. Perhaps all of us can take this idea and post a similar banner as we leave our homes to remind ourselves that we are wearing a victor’s crown of love and mercy that our world so desperately needs.

As you finish reading this blog, I ask the question, “Who are you?

*picture of grandson used with permission

Soul Praise – The Gate Stormer

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One of my all time favorite spots in Israel is found in the beautiful area north of Lake Galilee called Tel-Dan. Located at the foothills of Mount Hermon, this area has centuries of Biblical history going back to the time of Abraham. This lush place filled with an abundance of rushing water attracted all types of cultic worship and demonic activity.

This was a perfect place for Jesus to bring His disciples for an object lesson they would never forget. At that time it was called Caesarea Philippi, a Roman city. At the very heart of this area was a pagan temple to worship the god of the underworld, the abode of the dead, also called the “gates of hell.”

At this exact place Jesus asked His followers who He was. Peter shouted out through the revelation of the Father, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,”… Jesus responds to Peter that on that confession He would build His church, “and the gates of hell (death) will not overcome it.” (Mt. 16:15-18).

Peter and the others didn’t understand the object lesson and the words at the time. But after His death, resurrection, and ascension it became crystal clear. Jesus became the one true King who had the power to storm the gates of hell and liberate the Father’s children from the dark powers of sin and satanic power that kept us in spiritual death.

In Psalm 103, where we have been dwelling the past few weeks, we read these glorious words:

“Who redeems your life from the pit.” (vs. 4)

The Father who “forgives all your sins, heals all your all your diseases” is also the Gate Stormer who charges into hell to liberate His sons and daughters from satan’s grip though the finished work of His Son Jesus. We have been freed from the demonic strongholds through Christ’s blood and experience a spiritual resurrection of life in Him.

Let your soul shout praise to Christ the King who stormed the gates of hell to bring you into a new Kingdom to walk in a powerful new freedom. No longer do we have to live under the control of sin and the lies of satan, we are free, free forever free in “Christ, the Son of the Living God!”

Not long ago Patty and I had a time of soul praise as we witnessed a miracle happening in someone’s soul. After years of prayer, we witnessed Christ invading a heart with the good news of the Gospel,  redeeming this beloved child from the grips of the enemy and into the Kingdom of the Father’s everlasting love.

Not only can our souls sing for our own redemption from the pit of hell, but we can also sing because we can be used by the Father to storm the gates of hell with the message of Christ the King for others. Through prayer and witnessing for Christ with His love in us and the words He gives us we can watch His Spirit break the chains of the enemy and bring others into a Kingdom of everlasting love.

Mediate on Jesus your Gate Stormer and let your soul well up with praise for the new life He has given you. Also let His Spirit challenge you to join Him in the mission of storming the gates of hell to bring His lost children home.