Week 29 Beautiful Brother and Savior

I’ve been reading about trailblazers through history and I am reminded of a local hero, Daniel Boone. A Quaker born in the north, he enjoyed the wild outdoor life. When his family moved to North Carolina he began exploring the back country.

Before long he had opened up new trails into the future state of Kentucky. From 1767 on, he spent the better part of the next 30 years exploring and settling the lands of Kentucky, including carving out the Wilderness Road, paving the way for westward expansion. 

Many people followed his roads and today our country stretches from coast to coast.

Daniel Boone had many faults, yes, but his willingness to be the first and to conquer fear for others does remind me of my Heavenly Brother Jesus, the founder of my salvation. In this case, founder means pioneer or trailblazer. 

Jesus paved the way first with the intent that I would follow His trail, forgetting what lies behind and pressing forward towards the x that marks the spot. He has marked the trail in His Grace and Mercy so that no matter what path I take it will lead back to His Way. 

That’s what older siblings do, show the way forward.

Hebrews 2:10-18  For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many SONS to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them BROTHERS, saying, “I will tell of your name to my BROTHERS; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the CHILDREN God has given me.” Since therefore the CHILDREN share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the OFFSPRING of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his BROTHERS in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Week 28 Beautiful Brother and Savior 

Romans 8:28-30

I love this verse, ‘all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called…’ and then the next part has been a bone of contention amongst believers for a few hundred years.

Now I’m not here to argue predestination. I don’t believe God lives in this space-time continuum anyway. But because of man spending so much time pondering that question, many have never focused on the next part…
He created us in the “image of his Son, that HE MIGHT BE the FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BROTHERS and SISTERS…”
God created us in His image… again. Adam and Eve forgot they were already created in His image, but through Christ we are recreated into the image of His Son, Jesus, WHO IS OUR BROTHER!

I didn’t have an older sibling to look out for me. But I looked out for my younger brothers. Not that I was a great older sister, but still, as I travelled through life first, I shared my experiences with them. I paved the way with my parents to make life easier for them. When harsh words were spoken by others I convinced them the words were untrue. Even when we fought, I still fiercely cared and do care about them. 

If I, as an imperfect older sibling, cared, how much more does my older Brother Jesus care for me, model Life for me, and walk with me. We are Family. My journey is to follow in the way my Big Brother has paved for me.

Now, I can easily say that I am the Heavenly Father’s daughter, but I am learning that I am also sister to my Chief Elder, Jesus. Can you comfortably say these things yet? If not, go back and read my previous posts for 2017 and join me on the journey of reconciliation with Abba and His Family.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that HE MIGHT BE the FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BROTHERS and SISTERS. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 NIV

Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.Ez 37:13-14