4:85 – Papa God

#faithbites #faithjourney papa

Setting

Some days, ideas for #faithbites come easy, other days I struggle, and still others I just google a verse of the day and see what God wants me to see. Today was one of the later types. God led me to Romans 8:16-17 (text will be below). In a nutshell, the Holy spirit tells us we are God’s children. As such, we are heirs of God and share in his suffering and glory.

When I think about that, I think about being a parent. My kids are blessed by my successes. They have material things but also have a grounding in right, wrong, and have God in their lives. My kids also suffer from my failures and tribulations. When my mental health isn’t good or I react poorly or make a mistake, they suffer. They know that I love them and together, with the help of God, we will succeed. We are connected to God as he made us, just as our kids are connected to us.

Today’s questions: Who is connected to you? Do you know that they experience your sufferings and successes? How can you, in your #faithjourney, use that knowledge to deepen your relationship with God?

Scripture

Romans 8:16 – 17 – The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 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.

Reflection

Two quick thoughts here. First and foremost, God testifies that we are his children. Just as our children don’t choose us for their parents, we don’t choose ours. God is saying here that we are his. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Just like your kids can’t decide one day that you aren’t their parents, nothing we can do to make God not our papa.

The second thought is we know life is going to have it’s ups and downs. We suffer as Christ suffers, we also reap the glory as Christ did when our time is done. Again, nothing we can do to change this. We are his and his blessings are ours.

As we live, if we know that our identity has been proclaimed by God and we know that we will share in His Glory, we can live free. Our lives are no longer slaves to sin nor are we alone in the world. We are His.

As we close, take this feeling of belonging to the one true God and use it in your #faithjourney as you share joy with all those around.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for broadcasting our identity to the universe. We love you and know that you are our father no matter what we do. We pray that our actions are pleasing to you and when we fail, that you will forgive us.

Lord, your promises are true, and we will continue to use this knowledge to grow your kingdom and share your word. In your name, Amen.