LOVER OF MY SOUL

Teaching Goal: To connect deeper with God

CHAPTER 2: THE ADOPTION OF A GOOD FATHER
The testimony of Christine Caine

Oh, let us rejoice in God’s amazing love as His children. What a wonderful testimony of Christine Caine!

The liberating truth of our adoption as God’s children through His love is at the heart of the Gospel. It is a privilege to know that we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ, invited into a full and abundant life with our Heavenly Father. In Chapter 2 of this Bible Teaching Series, we will explore the message of Romans 8:15-17, which assures us of our adoption as God’s children. We will dive into the Scriptures to understand the depth of God’s love and the goodness of our ABBA Father.

Here are some adoption principles you can apply to strengthen your relationship with God as your Heavenly Father:

1. Embrace Your Adoption:

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.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:15‭-‬17 NIV

From Slavery to Sonship—The Spirit we have received does not enslave us to fear God’s judgment, but brings about our adoption as His sons and daughters. Imagine the freedom and joy that come from being fully accepted and loved by God, despite our brokenness and sinfulness. Through His Spirit, we can cry out, ‘Abba, Father,’ and experience an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. He always has His arms wide open to you, ready to include you in all His plans and eager to overwhelm you with His wraparound presence!

2. Reach Out To God’s Extravagant Love:

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14‭-‬19 MSG

The Dimensions of His Grace, the Apostle Paul, beautifully describe the magnificence of God’s love in Ephesians 3:14-19. Our Abba Father, who holds heaven and earth, desires to strengthen us through His Spirit. By opening our hearts to Christ and reaching out to His dependable love to pick you up or to draw you closer to His heart, we can experience the extravagant dimensions of His love. God’s love is unconditional and extends to every person, regardless of their past, present, or future actions. It is not based on merit or performance but purely on His grace. God’s love is limitless, reaching out to the broken, lost, and marginalized, offering hope, healing, and restoration. His love for us as His children is deep, unwavering, and all encompassing. It goes beyond human comprehension and surpasses all earthly measures. Embrace this incredible love and respond by also reaching out to the world around you to share His love with others. This means extending grace, forgiveness, and compassion to those around us, just as God, our Heavenly Father, has done for us.

3. Acknowledge God, The Good Father, As Your Light and Love:

This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection].

1 John 1:5 AMP

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”

Luke 11:11‭-‬13 AMP

I understand that your past experiences may have caused you to struggle with accepting God’s love as a Heavenly Father. It’s important to remember that God’s love surpasses the shortcomings of our earthly fathers. He is the source of goodness, and His intentions for us are always pure and filled with blessings. I want to encourage you to open up your heart and give God a chance. He is unlike any earthly father you may have encountered. His love is unconditional, His care is unwavering, and His desire is to see you flourish. He longs to heal the wounds you carry and fill your life with His abundant grace and joy. Remember, it’s never too late to begin a new journey with God. Let go of any preconceptions and allow Him to reveal Himself to you. Seek His presence, pour out your heart to Him, and trust that He will guide you on a path of healing and restoration.

You are deserving of love, happiness, and a relationship with a Heavenly Father who will never let you down. Embrace the hope that God offers, knowing that His love is always ready to embrace you. Take a leap of faith and open your heart to God and acknowledge Him right now as your Perfect and Loving Heavenly Father. You will be amazed at the depth of His love and the blessings He has in store for you!

4. Trust in His Goodness for Daily Provision and Protection:

“Consider the birds—do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they? So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life? “And why would you worry about your clothing? Look at all the beautiful flowers of the field. They don’t work or toil, and yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was robed in beauty like one of these! So if God has clothed the meadow with hay, which is here for such a short time and then dried up and burned, won’t he provide for you the clothes you need—you of little faith?”

Matthew 6:26‭-‬30 TPT

Our Heavenly Father’s goodness is evident in His provision and protection. Trust God as your Heavenly Father, and He will faithfully provide and protect you. Place your confidence in Him, for His love knows no bounds. In uncertain times, remember that He is your steadfast anchor. Embrace His guidance and find peace in His embrace. With unwavering trust, witness as He opens doors, provides for your needs, and guides you toward your purpose and glorious destiny. You have an Abba Father who deeply cares for you.

5. Approach God with Confidence as His Children:

Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

Hebrews 4:16 AMP

Our Abba Father invites us to come before Him, not with fear but with assurance, knowing that we will receive mercy and find His amazing grace in our times of need. We are never alone in our journey; our Heavenly Father is always there, ready to extend His love and support.

As we come before our Heavenly Father, guided by the Holy Spirit, we stand in His presence unblemished and faultless, thanks to the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood, which has made us holy. Recognizing His goodness, provision, and unwavering love allows our hearts to find rest in the assurance that we are cherished and cared for by Him, our Perfect Father. With confidence, let us approach God, knowing that we are co-heirs with Christ and recipients of His abundant grace. May this profound truth uplift your hearts and fill you with gratitude for our loving Abba Father.

Engagement Challenge
Please share your thoughts on the adoption principles listed above (Points 1 to 5) that resonated with you the most and their personal significance. We also invite you to share your testimony on how being adopted into God’s family has transformed your life. We look forward to hearing from you!

Worship Challenge
Devote time to acknowledge and appreciate God’s abundant love and His act of adopting you into His family. Express worship towards Him for His incredible goodness.

The Extra Mile Challenge
Strengthen your bond with God as your loving Father by tuning into Joseph Prince’s anointed message, “Daddy, God! – The Heart Of The Father Revealed,” as well as Pastor Rhys Stenner’s “Abba Father – Sermon Series: Romans VIII | New Hope” from New Hope. Discover the profound truth that God is not only the Almighty but also your nurturing Daddy. Realize the incredible power of uttering the heartfelt prayer, “Daddy, God!”

Meditation Challenge

Duration: 7 days

Objective: To deepen your understanding and experience of being a child of God, embraced in His love and inheritance, by meditating on Galatians 4:4-7.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Galatians 4:4‭-‬7 NIV

Instructions:

Day 1: Read Galatians 4:4-7 slowly, focusing on each word and phrase. Reflect on the significance of Jesus being sent by God to redeem you and grant you adoption as His child. Contemplate what it means to be an heir of God.

Day 2: Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and clear your mind. Repeat the phrase, “I am a child of God,” as you inhale and exhale. Visualize yourself being embraced by God’s love and experiencing the freedom of being His child.

Day 3: Find a quiet place where you can sit or lie down comfortably. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in the presence of God. Visualize Him holding out His hands, inviting you to call Him “Abba, Father.” Repeat this phrase, allowing it to sink into your heart and fill you with a sense of intimacy and security.

Day 4: Take a nature walk or spend time outdoors. As you observe the beauty of creation, reflect on how God, as your Father, has given you the gift of inheritance. Contemplate the abundant blessings He has bestowed upon you and express gratitude for being a part of His family.

Day 5: Choose a quiet moment to journal your thoughts and feelings about being a child of God. Write down specific instances where you have experienced His love, guidance, and provision in your life. Take time to thank Him for His faithfulness and the privilege of being His heir.

Day 6: Find a scripture or hymn that speaks to your identity as a child of God. Memorize it and repeat it throughout the day. Allow the truth of those words to shape your mindset and remind you of your worth and purpose in God’s family.

Day 7: Gather with fellow believers, either in person or virtually, and share your experiences and insights from this meditation challenge. Encourage one another in your journey of understanding and embracing your identity as adopted heirs of God. Pray together, thanking God for His love and provision in your lives.

Remember, the purpose of this challenge is to deepen your connection with God and align your mindset with His Word. May you be filled with joy and confidence as you embrace your identity as a beloved child of God, knowing that you have been made an heir of His eternal promises.