From Advent Conspiracy ... "Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 23"

Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 23

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4:4-7

God as my Father?

This was such a foreign concept to me when I began to learn about God. I grew up in a home without a father. Not just an absent father, but a father that abandoned his family for another. So the idea of worshipping a God who said He wanted to be my Father was a bit scary and not something I was interested in.

As a child and a young adult I struggled with feeling good enough, worthy of unconditional love and worth sticking around for. I made terrible life choices that continued to feed into that mindset.

But as I came face to face with God and His heart and desires for me, my life was changed!

God began to do things in my life that were so full of love, forgiveness, and hope that I couldn’t help but want to know Him more. As I studied God’s word and was loved on by God’s people, I saw His unconditional love for me. The love of a Father that I had always desired. He began to heal the deep wounds in my life and show me where His goodness was in all those times I was completely hopeless and broken.

And today I stand on the truth in Galatians 4:7- “..you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.” I am no longer a slave/victim to the brokenness I grew up in, but I am a victor IN Christ!

I challenge you today to look at your life.

Reflect

What has God freed you from? What are the beautiful inheritances He is sharing with you as His child?

Pray

Father,

Thank you for being my Dad! Thank you for your unconditional love for me. I love you!

Amen.

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Advent Conspiracy was founded on the radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told and it changes everything — including the way we celebrate Christmas.

Be part of a different story this Christmas, one that celebrates our King and brings hope to a watching world ...

• Worship Fully
• Spend Less
• Give More
• Love All

... and join the groundswell of Christ-followers who are choosing to make Christmas what it should be—a joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth that enriches our hearts and the world around us.