Adventurously Expectant

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” – (Romans 8:15, HCSB)

The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children. And with that Spirit we cry out, “Abba, Father.” – (Romans 8:15, ERV)

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, “What’s next, Papa?” – (Romans 8:15, MSG)

You see, you have not received a spirit that returns you to slavery, so you have nothing to fear. The Spirit you have received adopts you and welcomes you into God’s own family. That’s why we call out to Him, “Abba! Father!” as we would address a loving daddy. – (Romans 8:15, VOICE)

I included four different translations, as I appreciate what can be gleaned from each. When we invite God to be the Lord of our life, He gives us His Spirit to dwell in us and lead us into all that He has prepared for us. It is not a thing that makes us obedient robots, but rather is the Spirit within us that helps us recognize who our loving Heavenly Father is, and grants us an adventurously expectant heart that eagerly awaits all that Daddy God has for us. No matter what our earthly experience is with fathers, our Heavenly Father is loving and kind, and only has good in mind for us. He is our help and our hope, and welcomes us with strong and loving arms. God is ever-present, and is never too busy to hear and help us. May we seek the Lord to show us more and more of His Father’s heart for us, so that we may embrace His grace and follow wherever He leads with eager expectation.

The Spirit of God,

Our sweet Tali girl, ever expecting adventure. ❤

Ought not to be feared;

But rather embraced,

In love, be revered.

Ultimate Father,

Full of love and grace;

He leads and guides us,

As we seek His face.

Our help and our hope,

Wherever we go;

The Dad that loves us,

Where true peace is known.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You adopt us into Your family when we invite You to be the Lord of our lives. Thank You that You are loving and kind, and that You have good in mind for us all. Forgive us for associating Your Father’s heart with that of broken earthly examples. Teach us by Your Spirit how You are perfect love, and the One that never fails us. Show us how to love as You love, and help us to make Your heart known to those around us by our every word and deed. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for being our Abba Father, and for the Spirit You give us to make Your loving kindness tangible within. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Your decrees inspire wonder; because of that, my soul desires to keep them. – Psalm 119:129

Stripping Away the Stone

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.  Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.  They will be my people, and I will be their God.” – Ezekiel 11:19-20

photo by Tigresblanco

If we choose to turn to God, He will change our heart.  He will remove the hard, fortified exterior that repels what is meant to be received, and will replace it with true tenderness that turns to trust as He touches the tough places.  As the heart is changed, both the desire and the ability, by His Spirit, to obey all He asks – increase.  When we give Him our heart and allow Him access to all, He calls us His kids and we come to call Him “Abba Father“, or Daddy God.

As the stone shell is slowly and safely stripped away, a healthy heart that is ready to receive and return to others all the glorious gifts that God is granting, emerges.  He doesn’t wait for us to have it all together.  Rather, He is ready to redeem each time we ask Him earnestly.  He changes our heart and then grants us the grace to follow His good and perfect plan that He has placed before us; ever encouraging, equipping, correcting and directing, until the day we see Him face-to-face.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You unite our hearts to Yours, removing all that divides us from Your deity.  Thank You for Your patience and willingness to change that which hinders us from hearing You.  Teach us to trust You more, as we are careful to keep Your commands.  Help us to embrace our role as Your people and to give proper glory to You, our God.  May our undivided hearts hold all that You have for us, and may we be willing vessels for Your love to flow through.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present