Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Brand new day

Monday, January 1, 2007

Galatians 4:4-7
When the time had fully come God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

I think there is no need to worry about getting together in the lawyer's office and hearing that others got more of God's inheritance than I did. That's the underside of being an heir, and there is no underside with God. It's all on the up and up.

So this year is the next year of the rest of my eternal life. Another year on earth, another year full of surprises, another year closer to the moment in God's office when he pronounces my inheritance.

Paul says the Holy Spirit calls out "Abba, Father," and implies that I will call out too. "I love you, Jesus!" This spirit of love is just barely familiar to me. I've loved people like that, occasionally, for a little while. The Holy Spirit promises to warm up my heart and make it sing, "I love you!" over and over and over again.

When I'm caught in the grip of some earthly charm I need a "sponsor" to help me live one day at a time free from the charmer. It might be alcohol or cocaine or a person who is bad for me. The Holy Spirit promises to mentor me into relationship with Jesus, the heavenly charmer. Jesus is so good for me. He makes me new, he makes life new, he makes all things new.

Lord, with you this first day of 2007 is a brand new day worth living. You are teaching me to respond to your love, day by day by day. You gave yourself away so completely and so well, and I know you are teaching me to do that too.

Devotions Archive

Brand new day

Monday, January 1, 2007