We have two cats. I have bragged over the past four years about how we adopted them just like God adopted us. They have been redeemed from: Being nothing, Having nothing, Worth nothing, to becoming part of our family. They now receive provision, protection and our love.
These two cats are very different. One is loving, respectful of personal space and a follower of rules. The other is loving, in your face, in your space and makes his rules as he goes along. He walks on the counter tops. He beats up on the other cat from time to time for reasons unknown to us. Kind of like a rebellious child.
His behavior parallels ours in our relationship to our Heavenly Father. We have been redeemed. We have been Saved and Adopted into His family. At the same time, we want to do what we want, when we want, and how we want it done. Sometimes we agree with his plans and purposes, and at other times we do not. Unfortunately, whether or not we agree can depend on the counter tops of life. Also, unfortunately, it can depend on the temptations of those places and things that God has placed off limits.
To be honest, we thought about getting rid of him for repeatedly breaking the countertop ‘No Cat Zone’ rule and other repeat offenses. Then, the thought of redemption came back to mind. Redemption is based upon the thoughts and intentions of the redeemer. In fact, the redeemed only contributes to the process by accepting the redemption. If our cat jumps out the window and chooses to live in the woods, then he is no longer redeemed. As long as we draw near to God, He keeps us.
“With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home”. Ex 15:13-14 NLT
“With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home”. Jer. 31:3 TLB
God has purchased and paid the ransom for everyone that will accept His Salvation that has been provided through His Son Jesus our Redeemer.
Thank the LORD, He is a Covenant keeping God. But because He is a Covenant God, He will not throw us away for not holding up our end of the deal.
“Then Jesus said to them, “I myself am the bread of life. The man who comes to me will never be hungry and the man who believes in me will never again be thirsty. Yet I have told you that you have seen me and do not believe. Everything that my Father gives me will come to me and I will never refuse anyone who comes to me. For I have come down from Heaven, not to do what I want, but to do the will of him who sent me. The will of him who sent me is that I should not lose anything of what he has given me, but should raise it up when the last day comes. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and trusts in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up when the last day comes”. John 6:35-40 JB Phillips NT
How often do we walk where He tells us not to walk? How often do we treat our brothers and sisters unkindly, contrary to his word? And YET STILL, He loves us through it all and calls us to come up higher!
“You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt. 5:48 AMP
‘Perfect’ as mentioned here means mature. ‘Redeemed’ by definition means to obtain or regain by paying a price. May we always remember to conduct ourselves as the redeemed of the LORD. May we always remember that He continues to love us despite ourselves and our failures.
And yes, we still love our cats.
May God’s Grace Abundantly Reign In Your Life!
Elder Lisa Coleman
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An Apostolic and Prophetic View of God’s Process for Personal Growth and Ministry
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
According to the Scripture, Romans 8:28 says- “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” The questions is, how do all these things work out to our benefit? God is a “God that declares “The End” from “The Beginning”. However, we must understand that He is also a God of process. There is a process that takes from the beginning unto the end.
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