The Journey – 7. abide. become. see.

I want you to consider three terms as you allow God to make you into His chosen, royal, holy special people.

1. Abide. (intimacy) / dwell & rest in His Love.
2. Become. (grow into sonship)
3. See. (new lens) / His goodness in every moment.

Romans 8:28-29 (TPT)
28 So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. 29 For he knew all about us before we were born and he destined us[aa] from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like him.

On this journey that God has you on, have you ever felt uncertain about how the Creator of the universe feels about you?

It likes the flower petal principle –

I got blessed unexpectedly. God loves me.

I didn’t get the promotion I wanted, or I lost my job altogether. He loves me not!

Wow, my day went so good. He loves me!

My child was diagnosed with an incurable condition. He loves me not!

I got my prayer answered. He loves me!

I let my old man get the best of me. He must love me not!

God came through for me. He loves me!

I chose to not obey God and share Jesus with someone. He loves me not!

A friend calls me unexpectedly to encourage me. He loves me!

My marriage is on the rocks. He loves me not!

When we’re playing the he-loves-me-he-loves-me-not-game, the evidence against God can appear overwhelming. For reasons we shall see throughout my message, God does not often do the things we think his love would compel him to do for us.

But perception is not reality. If we define God only in our limited interpretation of our own circumstances, we will never discover who he really is.

So perhaps it’s time to toss your flower aside and discover that it is not the fear of losing God’s love that will keep you on his path, but the simple joy of living as His every day.

1John 3:1 (TPT)
Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children.[a] The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize him.[b]

1John 3.1 (MESSAGE) What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to.

This journey is one of Identity! Not destination. He is not taking you to a place but He is upgrading you in who you are. The journey of identity is designed to reveal – Who you are to Him and who He is for you.

Our Heavenly Father has poured His love into our spirits And I can hear Him say these words over us -“I love you son. I love you daughter. Everything in Me is dedicated to loving you. Everything of mine is yours. Freely receive. I have freely given you all things. I gave you my son to prove my love for you. I gave you my spirit to reassure you that I won’t leave you. I’ve poured My love into you and you now have the pleasure of giving it back to Me and spreading it to others.”

Is. 62.2 (NLT) The nations will see your righteousness. Kings will be blinded by your glory. And the LORD will give you a new name.
Is. 62.3 (NLT) The LORD will hold you in his hands for all to see—a splendid crown in the hands of God.
Is. 62.4 (NLT) Never again will you be called the Godforsaken City or the Desolate Land. Your new name will be the City of God’s Delight and the Bride of God, for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his own.
Is. 62.5 (NLT) Your children will care for you with joy, O Jerusalem, just as a young man cares for his bride. Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.