Posted By Michael Breznau on Jun 8, 2018

“God in heaven, will you please ______________”

This morning, as the sun rose over the lush green trees in our backyard, I hit stride in my typical routine: wake up, shower up, open the Word, and bring a series of requests to God. As usual, I found myself coming to the Lord with two oft-repeated agenda items:

• “God will you forgive me for ____________?” (I’m still readily prone to many sinful faults and failures)
• “God will you give me ______________?” (I’m continually in need of strength, direction, peace, healing, etc.)

Now there certainly isn’t anything wrong with bringing our confessions and requests before God. In fact, His Word instructs us to do so. But as I’ve been studying through Paul’s letter to the Galatian Christians, I’ve again been confronted with the radical truth that God calls me His child – even His son and His friend.

Paul wrote: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:25-26)

Continuing the same mind-blowing theology, the apostle continued:

“…God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons . . . therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Gal. 4:4b-5, 7)

You and I have been adopted into the family of God, not as hired servants or indentured slaves but as God’s chosen sons and daughters! Not only are we His children, but also inheritors of God’s ultimate promise given to Abraham through Jesus Christ (Gal. 2:6-9, 14; 3:39). If we are in union with Christ through faith, then we are true children of Abraham. Take it one step further: if God called Abraham His friend, then we, too, are friends of God (2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8; James 2:23; cf. John 15:13).

Only Give and Forgive?

Today, this truth assaulted my all-too-feeble and shallow prayers. Would I find it healthy and good if my children and close friends only came to me if they wanted me to give them something or forgive them of an offense? No way!

As a father and friend, I desire depth in my relationships with those I love. I want to know what is on their heart and mind. I look forward to hearing how they are feeling and what they are learning.

My heart warms up with gladness when Everlynn chirps like a songbird about what she discovered in the backyard. I delight in Hudson’s witty sketches and hilarious journal entries. And there’s nothing quite as sweet as Carson’s gummy kisses on my cheek.

Q: If in my limited, human role I long for more than mere requests from my loved ones, how much more may God in His limitless, divine love desire deep communion with His children?

God’s heart for us compels us to move from the shallow, safe end of the pool to the raging, rushing, freeing ocean of His love. In the deep with God we pour out our praise, our delight, our fear, our doubt, and a whole swirling sea of other whitecap emotions… and we find that we can know Him and be fully known, and yet fully loved by the One who has called us His own.

We may not only come to God with requests but also with our joy, wonder, discovery, and excitement.

Yes, we may say, “Lord God, please ________________.”

But by His unstoppable, adopting love, we may also respond, “God in heaven, I love __________________ about You. I’m amazed that You _________________. Oh Father, I’m feeling ______________ today, but I’m thankful that I know ____________________ is true.

So how might you fill in these blanks today?

In God’s Vineyard,

Week InREVIEW

• Repentance in the Church: As many of you have likely heard across the news, the Southern Baptist Convention has been going through a profound season of prayer, heart-evaluation, and repentance. Decisions were made even so far as to remove one seminary president from leadership. Even though we are not SBC-affiliated, these are certainly our brothers and sisters – even closely comrades-at-arms for the sake of the Gospel. Many responses have been written, but I found Dr. Thom Rainer’s transparent confession What I Must Change to be insightful and convicting, no matter your leadership position or affiliation. Click here: https://thomrainer.com/2018/06/what-i-must-change/
• How Friends, Families, and Churches can help Special Needs Families: Key Ministry is a unique organization that works to equip and encourage churches to minister effectively to families with specials needs children and adults. My wife, Stephanie, attended a conference with another one of our church members, in which Key Ministry was an integral part. They write: “A high percentage (some people report as high as 90%) of families with children with special needs don’t attend church. Our church considers them an unreached people group. We are active and intentional about reaching them with the love of Christ, and we believe every church should be as well.” Read more here: http://www.keyministry.org/specialneedsparenting/2016/3/28/how-friends-families-and-churches-can-help-special-needs-families
• Church Members Preparing for the Sermon: Everyone should assume that pastors are preparing to preach through prayer and intensive study, but how should church members prepare for the sermon? Here’s a helpful article that offers Seven Ways Church Members should Prepare for a Sermon. Click here: https://thomrainer.com/2016/04/seven-ways-church-members-should-prepare-for-a-sermon/