Page 122 - First Steps 2023

Plus, he doesn’t stop there.
He says, “I love you so much I want to not only pay your debt but to
also adopt you. From now on my Father will be your Father. All of the re-
sources and privilege that I have will now also be yours ... even if you find
yourself in debt once again.”
A banker would consider that craziness, no way to run a business.
But a Savior sees it through the eyes of grace.
No wonder that once you spend time with Jesus, you grow hungry to
be with him more, to become more like him as you abide in him.
And no wonder you want people you care about to know him, too. For
them to experience that peace that comes from experiencing his love.

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in
fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adop-
tion to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself
testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are
children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ”
(Romans 8:15-17).

Both pray together.

How can I pray for you?
Both of you have talked about sharing
the gospel—something close to God’s
heart.
If you identified a friend or family member with whom you’d like to
share the story of God’s love, pray for that opportunity now.
But also pray for one another as disciples: that you’ll have the

courage to boldly and graciously engage in the most important
conversation anyone could possibly have, a conversation with eternal
consequences.

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