The Joy of Being Called a Son

Hebrews 12:5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?                    “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

I hope you all did your homework assignments. Shout out to Leslie for doing a fabulous job. The point of yesterday was for each of us to understand God has established us as sons and daughters. This is a beautiful thing full of love and grace. I remember growing up, there were some guys whose parents had kind of checked out on the whole parenting thing. They were just not around and did not seem to care about what went on in their child's life. Sometimes I would think man that is the way to go, no rules, do what you want to do. However, the older I got the more I began to see it is a dangerous life, and one that will destroy you quickly. Today with three children of my own, i completely understand the absolute need for parents to be involved. God loves us so much that He has adopted us into His Kingdom and calls us SON! With that comes His discipline. Yes, our heavenly Father will correct us, be thankful. Yes, He will reprove us, be thankful. Yes, He will punish us. All of His discipline, reproof, correction, and conviction is His love flowing to us. He desires for us is to live life and live it well (John 10:10). However, with that comes correction. I want to focus this morning on the word RECEIVE. Sunday we finished with a few hand claps and some changing (you had to be there to understand), but there was more to it than just a few hand claps. We ended with John 1:12 But as many received Him, to them He gave them the RIGHT to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. First it is a gift from God, second it is a gift extended to you and I, third we must believe to receive. Believe + Receive = Become. So in receiving we repent and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We surrender our life to BECOME part of the family of God. Then the Father receives our surrender and that is the beautiful part of who we are, God has received you as a surrendered vessel. A part of His family in which He will guide and direct us along our journey. He imparts to you the Holy Spirit. Through the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, He directs you daily life in the family. He will use you to build the family. He cannot do this without teaching you, Teaching requires discipline. A teacher with no discipline will struggle to teach, learning will be minimal at best, and his or her knowledge remains their knowledge. God will not let you stay they way you are. He will always be growing you into a more Christ like version of who you are. I am a fortunate man,  i was raised in a family where family was important. Love abounded in the house. Discipline abounded in the house. Did that make me walk perfectly throughout my life? Well no it did not; however, it made me certain of the consequences for my actions. Discipline, yes punishment was something I expected. It made me live with an effort to be pointed in the right direction. Today my father still leads me and directs me, for this I am thankful. For those whose family life was void of this, you are the beginning of a new way. You, through understanding the love of God and His love for you, must establish a new pattern and a new way for your family. Never fall into the snare that it is too late. It is not, it can begin today! It can begin right now! Today your life can be transformed to a life focused on being in the family of God with a heavenly Father so real and so loving that each and everyday His love empowers your love, directs your path and establishes who you are.

RAK CHAZAK
brother david