| All of mankind since Adam were born as sinners, disgraced and fallen. When you asked Jesus to be your savior, you were instantly transformed and "translated" into the family of God. You were given a birthright. You were elevated from condemned on death row, to glorified child of a king. Although the transformation was forever, and can't be taken away from you, you can give it away by ignoring it. In this case, it would be described as the "seed that began to take root, but was quickly choked out by the thorns of this world". As long as you long for God, seek Him and His gifts, you are a seed growing and remaining in God's garden. Jesus said "He who loves me keeps my commandments." He who overcomes, who endures to the end. You will make mistakes and at times you may get back into something you know you shouldn't be doing. But seek the Holy Spirit now, and His manifestation in your life, and try to read or hear the Word as often as possible. Think on Jesus and all that His gift means to you. Be thankful for all that you have and seek to share and be kind. Above all, pray. Develop a relationship with God, so you can say, Yes, I know Him! If you do these things, your eternal outcome is assured and you can rest in the knowledge that you have the right to ask of God and to receive. |
| Now, I'm going to ask you again. Who are you? Who do men say that you are? Define yourself in just a few words, a few gifts or titles. Try to live up to first being a child and ambassador of God. Then perform your duties as you should, with love and concern for your fellow man. If someone is trying to make you do something you know is not right, DON'T BE AFRAID TO SAY NO. You have a right and a responsibility to yourself to make your actions and your life work live up to the YOU that you know inside is the true you. If your children are expecting too much of you, remember that your job in raising them is two fold. One - to teach them about God. Two - to teach them how to take care of themselves. As early as possible they should be taking over responsibility. It DOES NOT HURT THEM. The things that hurt children are to be babied, to be beaten, and to be unloved. Nothing else should make you feel guilty! It does not matter how much you buy for them, how much you do for them, as long as you have done number one and two above, and shown them love. |