Absorbing God’s Word
“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.” Romans 8:15
Applying God’s Word
Over the years, God has asked me to take different people under my wing and adopt them spiritually. My willingness to be a spiritual foster parent has allowed God to shape and mold me in ways I never dreamed possible.
Louise and I moved into our home a few years ago and to our delight met our next-door neighbor, Herman. Herman had just lost his wife Betty. We became immediate friends, even though Herman was fourteen years my senior.
Herman had been raised Christian, but hadn’t been engaged per say, for a long time. God told me to tread lightly and to just be a good neighbor. I took Herman to lunch, helped him with his garbage cans and changed the dressings on wounds he acquired from different falls.
Months had passed, when God put it on my heart to ask Herman one question. “Herman, how is your relationship with God?” He said, “Not very good. I don’t think God would want to have one with me again.” I asked him to give God another chance. That was a very quiet lunch together, but I could see that Herman was touched.
Herman had a stroke a few weeks ago and died the day after Easter. Something tells me, though, that Herman did give God another chance.
Accounting of God’s Word
Have I renewed my relationship with Jesus during this Easter season? Do I reject Satan and all sin? Have I asked God to release His Holy Spirit in me and to use me as a spiritual foster parent?