How do we become truly members of God's family?
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
And so we should not be like cringing, fearful slaves, but we should behave like God’s very own children, adopted into the bosom of his family, and calling to him, “Father, Father.” For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God’s children." (Romans 8: 14 - 16 TLB)
"What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'Rabbuni, let me see again'" (Mark 10:51)New Jerusalem Bible
Suppose Jesus asks you: "What do you want me to do for you?" How would you reply? If I sense Jesus asking me the question, my answer would depend on my circumstances. In periods of ill-health, I want instant healing. When my car is in deep trouble, I desire a new car. Jesus complained to St Maria Faustina that our desires are too petty and always circumstantial. Bartimaeus wanted to see people and God’s beautiful creation. Jesus praised his faith.
When God asked Solomon what he wanted most, Solomon's request pleased God. Why? Because the king had asked for wisdom -- not for his own benefit, but so he could rule Israel according to God's purpose. God wants us to choose wisely and in accordance with His will. In the Lord's prayer, Jesus taught us what to pray for. God's will is paramount. He showed an example in Gethsemane when in terrible anguish, he groaned: "My Father,..not what I want but what you want" (Matthew 26:39)
Bartimaeus' prayer brought him physical and spiritual vision. Jesus always gives more than we ask for. He wants us to pray with confidence for all our needs, but he also desires we place spiritual well-being above material comfort. The world needs people with spiritual vision. "Without vision the people perish" (Proverbs 29: 18). The prophet Hosea writes: "My people perish for want of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) May God help us to pray with Bartimaeus: Lord, that we may see!
I am now free from compulsive behavior to sin. Thank You Jesus, Savior and Redeemer.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."
(Romans 8:1 NKJV)
"And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death."
(Romans 8:2 NLT)
The wise and the learned miss the simple truths of eternal life
"At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children."
"Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do."
(Matthew 11: 25 - 26 NIV)
Do not follow the advice and tips of the wicked.
"But now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God's gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master."
(Romans 6:22-23 MSG)
"For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction."
(Psalm 1:6 NLT)
Who was your help when men rose up against you?
"Had not the LORD been with us, let Israel say, had not the LORD been with us?
When men rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive; When their fury was inflamed against us."
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
"Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us; over us then would have swept the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us a prey to their teeth."
