Can God Speak To Us in Dreams?

This morning I am once again just pondering a dream I had recently about ministering in Papua, the Crosiers and Mango bread.  It is just so interesting that those three things stood out from the dream, and I am quite sure I have never read nor seen anything that puts these together, or would give any reason for my mind to  present these to me.  

Here is my description of the dream - Last night I had an interesting dream where my honey and I were ministering at some island, I thought it was Papua, but never had anyone say that specifically.  We were hanging out with the people, had a prayer meeting with them, were learning about their crops (huge onions) and plantings, etc.  I specifically prayed for fruitfulness for them as a people as they didn't have many kids.  I remember there was some Crosier missionaries that had established Christianity, and they had the greatest mango bread, it was carmelized on the outside.

The question is whether God can communicate real facts to us in our dreams?  When I woke up from this dream, I had no known reason to know any of these things, and had no idea if they were true, or even existed (like mango bread)  I started to do some research, and I have listed some of the links below:

Mango Bread - https://www.eva-bakes.com/hawaiian-mango-bread/   (The picture in the recipe looks very much like what I saw and tasted in my dream)

Crosiers in Papua - https://crosier.org/about-us/history/  (This fact was the most random, and specific.  Indeed the Crosiers established a ministry in Western Papua (not Papua New Guinea), in lowland area like I saw in my dream.  I knew next to nothing about the Crosiers and they actually did not send many missionaries to many different countries, but did to Papua)

Onions in Papua - https://www.oxfam.org.au/2019/07/how-onions-are-helping-families-to-smile-in-papua-new-guinea/  (While this is Papua New Guinea, it is still a very specific fact, that one would never randomly think up...)

After reviewing these links, it was clear to me that indeed these "facts" that I had seen or known in my dream were real!  Again, I cannot think of any time where I have read about any of these things, seen a documentary about any of these things, or any reason to think about them on my own. I even checked whether there was any TV shows that would have included these things, but nothing that comes up in a search have I ever heard of or viewed, or even aired anywhere near the time I had the dream.

When I told my honey about this dream she blamed my uncanny ability to remember random facts. Again, I can absolutely attest to the fact that these three things were completely new to me, and only verified since having the dream.  This brings me back  to the central question, can God speak to me in my dreams and provide real data, or facts?  

If I look at the scriptural evidence, it is clear that God did use dreams to communicate with people throughout scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments. Dreams are referred to over 90 times in scripture, so there are an abundance of examples. This morning I am just going to look at a couple of instances where God provided specific details or information in dreams.  The first that comes to mind is the story of Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dream found in Genesis Chapter 41.  In this case the Pharaoh's dream was prophetic, and came true (seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine). This was not so much a providing of facts in the present as a prophetic picture of the near future (next 14 years), but certainly is a good description of how God can use dreams, even in the lives of those that do not know Him.

Here is the account of Pharaoh's first dream - Genesis 41:1-4 NIV:

[1] "When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, [2] when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. [3] After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. [4] And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up."

Here is Joseph's description of the dream - Genesis 41:25-27 NIV:

[25] "Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. [26] The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. [27] The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine."

And here are the results - Genesis 41:46-48,53-54 NIV:

[46] "Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh's presence and traveled throughout Egypt. [47] During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. [48] Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it." 

[53] "The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, [54] and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food."

Again, this is not exactly similar to what I experienced, but a great example of God providing "future facts" to someone in a dream.  The second example comes from the Gospel of Matthew, in which God again provides specific information in a dream that would not have been known or available.  Here is the account - Matthew 2:13-14,16 NIV:

[13] "When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” [14] So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,.."

[16] "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi."

These two examples show how the Lord can communicate to us in our dreams, sometimes specifically in words, other times in images and symbology.  Personally i have had many dreams where the Lord is apparently showing me things, sometimes future events, sometimes providing insight into what is happening around me, and sometimes random facts that prove to be true.

I think in this particular instance God is reminding me of His ability to speak in and through dreams.  He is capable of communicating with us, if we will pay attention and learn to listen.

Lord, I pray that You would continue to speak clearly to me, to all of us, so that we might hear what You are saying and act.

Amen and Amen!

Pruning and Fruit Bearing

This morning I am back in John 15, starting at the beginning, and reflecting on Jesus' famous teaching on being the vine.  Here are the verses - John 15:1-8 NIV:

[1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. [2] He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. [3] You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. [4] Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." 

[5] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. [7] If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

I was reading through some articles on pruning vines to make them the best producing and healthiest.  Grapes only are produced on year old wood, and the pruning process has a couple of purposes.  If left to itself the vine will put too much energy into growing leaves and vines and not enough into growing grapes.  The pruning of the vine removes unhealthy parts, distracting parts and focuses on creating the perfect mix of new growth and fruit bearing.  The optimal time for pruning is in the late winter, just before entering a new growing season.  True pruning doesn't go for quantity of grapes at the expense of the quality.  The vine dresser prunes the vine in a way that is appropriate for that particular vine, if it is well established and healthy the vine dresser will allow more grapes to form, if the vine is newer, the focus will be on shaping the vine to the support structure, and establishing a few healthy main branches.  

Here are some pruning tips from  https://gardeningtheme.com/theme/pruning-grape-vines-in-two-easy-steps :

• Immediately remove disease- or pest-infested wood from the vicinity of the grape vine plant and burn it. Disinfect the pruning shears used to cut diseased wood with alcohol to prevent the disease from spreading to healthy plants.

• If grape vines are pruned too much, their yield will be reduced and the bush will become thicker and stronger. If, on the other hand, pruning is insufficient, the vine will yield more, but it will also become weaker. It is therefore important to maintain a balance between yield and vine growth.

• The grape vine needs support in order to grow upright. Keep this in mind when planting the vines and place the proper support (wire, stake, trellis, pergola and other types of support) above the vines so that you can attach new shoots to it.

Overall it is important to note that it is only year-old wood that grows grapes... and properly pruning the vine is essential to producing healthy, disease-free fruit.  Normally a vine-dresser is looking for a limited number of branches that will in turn create an abundance of heathy and spaced out grapes.  There needs to be enough space for circulation of air between the clusters of grapes.  

When training the vine usually the vinedresser will wrap the branch around the support several times, creating a well supported branch. When choosing the main trunk, the vine dresser looks for one that is the most vertical, strong and healthy, and chooses the branches that are strong, healthy and well supported.  In Jesus' commentary, He is the Vine, we are the branches.

The are some very clear spiritual principles we can draw from these simple examples.  

1) Support is necessary for a healthy vine.  This means strong healthy relationships with others in the body of Christ.  I like the picture of the branch wrapped around the support.  This picture seems a good example of having our lives woven together, with deep life giving relationships of mututal support and encouragement.

2) Pruning is essential every year to maintain an optimal yielding vine, with quality fruit.  

The primary pruning takes place at the end of winter.  If we are referring to our spiritual life, this would represent a season where life seems difficult, relationship with the Lord is not producing abundant fruit... but pruning is done at this time to limit any possible damage to the vine.  Think of this as the Lord helping you get ready for a new season by removing some things that once were fruitful, but are no longer bearing fruit.  

For the believer this type of pruning can seem confusing, especially when that which is removed was formerly fruitful and good.  The Lord knows what He is doing, and that is preparing one for the next season of bearing fruit. 

The vinedresser also cleans the vine during spring and summer  growth periods.  This pruning is removing shoots, branches and weak growths that will pull energy from the vine  and the production of grapes.  Again, to a believer this might seems strange when the Lord cuts some new interest, engagement  or relationship that looks good, but in the end these would have been unhelpful.  In these seasons we need to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing, and allow Him to remove things.

Finally, true life comes from Him and it is essential that we remain connected to the Lord!  We need His word to clean us, and focus us. We will not bear fruit on our own, all life comes from our relationship with the Lord.  We may go through slow seasons or difficult seasons where the Lord seems distant, and in those times it is essential to remain in Jesus, so we don't miss the next season of bearing fruit, and allowing His life to flow through us.

Thinking back to Jesus teaching this all to His disciples, these words were spoken at the Last supper and they were about to go through a very difficult season, followed by a season of great growth where remaining connected to the Lord was essential to their survival and success.  We often don't have a good perspective of our seasons, where we are and where we are going.  We need to trust the Lord sees all and will help us to maximise our fruitfulness in Him, by staying connected to Him.  Daily prayer, reflection and listening is essential for us to stay connected. 

As I was thinking back through my life, I see that seasons usually take longer than a calendar year, and at times I find that frustrating.  I want to grow and produce fruit now... not years from now!    I also see that my daily walk with Him, staying connected, is the most critical thing to maintaining a healthy faith.  IT is so easy for me to get distracted, to start thinking only about myself, my needs, my wants that I lose sight of the fact that all life comes from Him.

Oh Lord, help me to better understand the season I am in, and help me to bear good and abundant fruit for Your Glory!   Help me to understand and trust Your pruning process, and embrace the cleaning and pruning that You are about in my life.  I do want to bear much fruit.  I want to remain connected to You!

Amen!

Gifts, Power, Authority and the Body of Christ

This morning as I have been setting my heart and mind to the Lord, i was reminded of something Bill Johnson said in a sermon I listened to recently.  He was talking about the difference between commissioning, being given authority, and walking in power in that commission.  A great example is the great commission in given to the Apostles, and then the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. 

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV:

[18] "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Luke 24:49 NIV: 

"I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Acts 2:1-4 NIV:

[1] "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

In sharing these, Bill made the distinction between the commissioning (Giving of authority) and the pouring forth of power (Pentecost) and how the first was really not possible until the second (empowering) occurred.  Clearly there are callings and commissions that require both in a fullness only God can provide.

As I was thinking about the way the Lord calls and empowers us, I started thinking about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and how we should approach them?  Clearly these gifts are given to be used, but often received without instructions or commissioning, at least in my experience.  The question in my heart this morning is whether the gifts are given with the express authority and power to exercise them?  

I am going to look at a couple of the sections where the giving of gifts is described, starting with Romans 12:4-8 NIV:

[4] "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."

Adding to these verses we have Paul describing additional gifts in his letter to the 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NIV:

[7] "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

The first thing that I noticed is that Paul describes the gifts within the context of the Body of Christ.  The gifts are clearly meant to be part of our experience in the Body of Christ, and they seem to be meant for our common good.  These are all clearly gifts, and at least in my experience gifts are meant to be enjoyed, and experienced.  

The original Greek word that is translated gifts is xarisma - defined as follows:  

Cognate: 5486 xárisma (from "grace," 5485 /xáris) – properly, the operation of grace (divine favor), i.e. a grace-endowment to edify the Church (note the -ma suffix, focusing on the end-result of the endowment of grace).

5486 /xárisma ("grace-gift") divinely empowers a believer to share God's work with others, i.e. Spirit-empowered service to the Church to carry out His plan for His people.

[5486 /xárisma (but not limited to) "spiritual gifts." xarismata (the plural form) literally means "grace-endowments."]

I love how the definition essentially brings into focus not only the gifts (freely given) but also the empowering of the Holy Spirit.  In other words, we don't receive the gift without the power.  To put this in our modern vernacular, the gifts come with the batteries. :-)

While that is a semi-humorous take, this is an important distinction.  The gift includes the empowering from the Holy Spirit.  They are His gifts, and when He gives them He includes the necessary power to exercise them.  Secondly, they are grace-endowments, meaning given without any earning, something God freely chooses to do.  We don't earn these gifts through our maturation, or obedience, or anything else.  We get them because we are part of the body of Christ and they are given for us all, or for the common good.  

In regards to the common good, our experience in the Body is meant to be positively impacted and affected by the use and practice of these gifts.  We generally don't have a problem with most of the gifts described in Romans, but many places are uncomfortable with the list found in 1 Cor., for they seem more "spiritual".  Its one thing for someone to be giving the gift of leadership, its another to have someone given the gifts of miraculous powers, or speaking in tongues.  The point here is that they are all similar and all given by the same Holy Spirit, for the benefit of the whole Body of Christ.

If they are given in the context of the Body for the benefit of the Body of Christ, one would think that they also come with the authority, as well as power to be exercised.  If the Holy Spirit - who is leading and directing the Church gives out the gifts, it is for good reason, and He isn't making a mistake.  Its not like someone giving a two year-old a gift that should be used by an 18 year-old.  We need to learn to trust the Holy Spirit, believing that He fully knows what He is doing.

Lastly, while the gifts apparently come with the power, and even the authority (implicit in the giver being Holy Spirit) we can absolutely grow in maturity in our use of the gifts.  In the same way that a 16 year old can receive a license to drive (Power and authority), they usually get better at driving as they practice, so do we in our use and practicing of the gifts.  The wonderful thing is that since they are given to the members of the body, for the common good of the body, we have a built-in training center option.  They gifts are meant to be tried and exercised in the context of Body life, where older members can help guide, encourage, and hone the use of the gifts.  Our goal should be to raise up and encourage the use of the gifts every chance we get, as it is for our own benefit overall.

Without going to far down the path, what are we missing if we don't encourage the regular use of these Spiritual gifts?  We would be missing or lacking to some extent  that which these gifts were meant to impart... prophecy, service, leadership, giving, teaching, mercy, wisdom, knowledge, miraculous powers, healing, discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues.   It's funny that those last two are the ones that get the most focus, and seem to me the least impactful to the body overall, yet are the reason many places quash the Spirit.  The other thing I noticed is that prophecy is on both the Roman list and the 1 Corinithians list (and one of the 5-fold ministries).  

In summary, as I reflect upon these few verses, it is apparent to me that we need the spiritual gifts; we need them for our own good; we need them exercised and regularly used; we need those things they are meant to impart!  Oh Lord, help us to welcome fully Your great gifts, that we might learn to use these gifts in the power and authority in which they were given!  Help us to grow and mature and experience all that You have for us!  

Amen and Amen! 

An Unusual Food

Recently I was listening to a sermon by Bill Johnson (to listen to the full sermon, see the link at the end of my note) talking about an unusual form of nourishment, that he came across in scripture.  It was a very encouraging message for those dealing with difficulty.  He starts with Numbers 14:9 NKJV: 

[9]  "Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.""

Looking at the subject of bread...and food.  He then tied this verse to the following 2 verses.

Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV:

[9] In this manner, therefore, pray: 

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 

[10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 

[11] Give us this day our daily bread. 

[12] And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 

[13] And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

and finally - Psalm 23:1-6 NIV:

[1] "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

[2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 

[3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. 

[4] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

[5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

[6] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

His message focused on the belief that that there is something we encounter in the Lord when we view it from His perspective that is food to our spirit.  Difficulty viewed rightly can nourish us, and sustain us, in the face of the opposition, in the face of our enemies.  

After listening to this sermon a couple of times, I was reminded of Jesus' comment after interacting with the woman at the well - John 4:31-34 NIV"

[31] "Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 

[32] But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 

[33] Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 

[34] “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."

In a very real sense there is meant to be something absolutely sustaining in experiencing the Lord's will fulfilled through our life, and in our life!  I remember when the Lord had us give away one of our cars, and how in giving it, it became apparent that the Lord had been working on something for years, and meeting heart cries and prayers, and sending a message of absolute love and intimacy to the recipient of the vehicle.  I knew it was a huge confirmation to our firend, and it was so sustaining to us, to know how the Lord worked through us... and gave us a confidence.

I am just thinking about how full one's life would be if they walked in a level of confidence and obedience as they pursued the Lord, stepping out of their own weakness into His strength, and seeing Him step in over and over again, providing what was needed in the time it was needed, providing victories where there shouldn't be victory, etc.

Oh Lord that You might help me to view my life from Your perspective, that I might see difficulties as opportunities for You to express Your provision and blessing!  Help me to stay in lock-step with Your plan and purpose!  Help me to not overstep and enter into presumption, but rather do Your will,a nd finsih the work offered to me!

Amen and Amen!

Link to Bill's sermon.  It is well worth listening to:  https://youtu.be/30VWk28p4WU?si=d77i05Uz82FznF7z

Dreams & Identity

Recently I had an interesting dream that got me thinking about my identity as a son of God.  We had a Men's retreat this past weekend and our speaker did a wonderful job, and the theme for the second day (Sat.) was our identity as sons of God.  Interestingly, I had the dream on Friday night.  I am so encouraged when the Lord does things like that, for it is hard to miss His message when He is providing repetition! 

Sometimes my dreams are epic dreams almost like movies and this was one of them.  My dream seemed to be a remake of a movie from the 1980s, a movie that I haven't seen in probably 20-30 years.  The movie is called Ladyhawk, and the very simple theme is that two individuals who love each other are cursed by an evil priest to never be able to fulfill their love and be together.  In my dream there was a very similar plot, an evil bishop was trying to keep two individuals apart and had cursed them and enlisted multiple demonic beings to help.  There was a group of us who came to understand what was happening and we were working to break the curse and set the two people free.  Just as the action started I woke up.  

I asked the Lord what that all meant, as He often uses dreams to communicate with me (its very common in the Bible).  I felt like He said this dream represents the spirit of religion, which tries to keep us from ever experiencing the true love of God, and establishing a real relationship.  I thought that was quite an interesting word picture and wrote it all down.  I headed to the retreat and had no real idea what the theme was for the second day, and sure enough our speaker starts talking about our identity and the way the religious spirit causes us to miss the relational nature of our identity as sons, and keeps us thinking we are just servants.  

I was reminded of the story of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15.  I am not going to quote all of the story, just a few specific verses.  It is well worth reading and reflection.  In quick summary, a man has two sons, the younger son asks for his inheritance and then leaves and blows all of the money in a sinful lifestyle. The following verses take it from that point - Luke 15:17-19 NIV:

[17] “When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' 

Too many of us think this is the best we could ever hope for, to be a servant, working and earning what little blessings we can from God (for the Father in the story clearly represents God).  We think that we have sinned too greatly, lived a life chasing our own pleasure, whatever, and that we don't deserve a real relationship with God.  The spirit of religion would absolutely love to keep all of us in such a state, for a servant doesn't have real authority or power, and is task or rule oriented (we could say under the law). In this existence, we depend on our own efforts and the acknowledgment of a good master, but there is no true love.

Jesus in continuing the story shows us how wrong that attitude and thinking is, for the Father will have none of it!  

Luke 15: 20-24 NIV: 

[20] "So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 

[21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."

The Father wants us all to recognize our identities as sons and daughters!  IN the story He immediately restores all that the son left, his authority, his identity and favor!  I love this story and the illustration of God the Father's love for all of us, His waiting patiently for us to come to our senses and turn towards Him.  The Father doesn't want servants, He wants sons and daughters!  

Paul writes about how we have in us this yearning for Abba, Father.  (Romans 8:15, Gal. 4:6)  In both of these verses Paul speaks about our adoption as sons and daughters.  To me, the idea of being an adopted son, while great, seemed one step from being a true son.  However, once I did some research into the term used by Paul, I came to realize why He used this Roman term.  Here is a link to my study on the meaning and significance of adoption, as used by Paul: 

https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2017/06/adoption-as-gods-sons-and-daughters-its.html

To summarize, the significance of this term, is that in this particular Roman institution, the complete previous identity of the adopted son or daughter is completely erased, as if they never existed previously.  In fact, the family relationship in this "adoption" is so strong, that the Father could never disown the adopted child!  In other words, once adopted you are forever the Father's child, son or daughter forever, and your former existence no longer exists!  In other words, you can't actually go back to being who you were before, no matter what You do, that option/identity no longer exists.

I could continue on, but suffice it to say that the Lord is desirous of our stepping into our true identity as sons and daughters!  The world and the spirit of religion, try to keep us from experiencing true relationship, for as sons and daughters we have authority and power, and the ability to walk in intimacy and favor!   The one thing the enemy of our souls fears more than anything is sons and daughters of God who learn to walk in their true identity, for they have the same inheritance as Jesus (Rom 8:17).

Oh Lord, help us to come to our senses and return to You!  Help us to step into our true identity, and live our lives as Your daughters and sons!  Help us to fully experience Your Love and acceptance, Your welcome Home!

Amen and Amen!