The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. - (Romans 8:16)

We can believe it. We can think it. We can want it. We can pray for it. But, the real validation happens when the Holy Spirit – one of the great gifts we receive when we are saved — speaks in stereo with our Spirit to God, the Father of all grace.

The Spirit’s words are simple, “O Abba Father, hear this one, he or she is your child!” God the Spirit living inside us, interceding when we pray even when we don’t have words to pray adequately (Rom. 8:26-27), is the proof of our identity. Undeniably in the halls of heaven, there is no doubt that we are God’s child and co-heirs with the Prince of heaven (Rom. 8:17).

Prayer : Father, thank you for giving such sweet assurance! I am thankful to know that there is no doubt that I belong to you because of the presence of the Holy Spirit within me and the intercession for me and the testimony of the Spirit to you that I am your child. For this gift of grace, and thousands of others, I thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. - (Romans 8:14)

Parents lead their children till they are ready for life on their own. As we cry out to God as our Abba Father (Rom. 8:15), God leads us. We are his young children and he leads and guides us through the influence and work of the Holy Spirit.

This is why Jesus told his closest followers that he would not leave them as orphans when he went back to the Father. Instead, he would send them the Comforter — the Counselor, the Intercessor, the Advocate – whom we know as the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18). So as God’s dearly loved children, we can choose to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, or we can rebel and live on our own.

But life and peace are found in living in step with the Spirit’s lead (Rom. 8:6), while rebellion and death are the result of living on our own without the Father’s help (Rom. 6:23; 8:6-7). Because the Father has demonstrated his love for us through the gift of his Son, let’s listen for our Father’s voice and follow our Father’s heart by responding to the lead of the Holy Spirit!

Prayer : O Father, you are righteous and holy, gracious and merciful. Thank you for claiming me as your child. Thank you for not leaving me alone, left only to my own power, as I try to live for you. I intentionally submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, knowing that the Spirit’s presence in my life is a gift from your love to help me live as your beloved child. I thank you, in the name of Jesus my Lord. Amen.

‘Change’ is the catchword that Barak Obama used in his election campaign. And it fetched him the prestigious position of the President of United States of America. Why? Because people love change!

Change is a fundamental component of our lives. We love positive change. One of the keys that the Bible provides us for success is ‘changing the way we think’. It is simply changing our thoughts according to God’s Word.

In Romans 12:2 (NLT) we read, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is”.

Changing your mind is a daily process. Before you start your daily schedule, it is good to consult with God about what you are supposed to do regarding that day’s schedule. He will give you the right counsel from His Word. When you change your thinking according to God’s Word, you will taste victory even though you may face some challenges. As you set your mind to follow God’s instruction, you will be able to come up in life as God wants you to be.

Galatians 5:17 says that the sinful nature in man loves to do evil which is just opposite to what the Holy Spirit desires. And the Spirit of God gives us desires that are opposite to what the sinful nature craves for.

Even after you are born again, you can have the old way of thinking. That is why the Bible exhorts to change your mind daily. As God’s child, you have access to His Presence. He will speak to you from His Word. He will never let you down. In fact, God desires His children to enjoy progress in life. He doesn’t want you to be stuck on the same old level. So He is not to be blamed if you don’t experience progress. It may be that you are still having the same old thinking.

For example, jealousy can be a factor that stops your progress. Therefore choose to rejoice in the progress of others. Have good thoughts about them. Encourage them and thank God for their progress so that you will start seeing progress in your life too.

Learn to walk in the counsel of the Holy Spirit. He will help you to protect your mind from being contaminated by the behavior and customs of the world. Changing your thinking according to God’s Word is the foundation for success. Once you do so, you will be able to bring fruitful changes into every area of ‘your world’. And that, in turn, brings progress and growth in to your life!

- – - By Joe Abraham & Ancy Joe