BLESSED BELIEVING AND RECEIVING.

" Believing and Receiving "

 

John 1:12-13   Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God —
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (NIV)
Although “He [Jesus] came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” (John 1:11), there were some who did believe.
To ‘believe in His name’ means ‘to trust Him as a person knowing the integrity of His character and the authority of His commission’.

Some people did that. They received Him as a man, they received His words as God’s, and, as they got to know Him,
they validated who He was in the dynamic of their relationship with Him. 

But ‘receiving Jesus’ did not simply make them part of His team because they also became part of God’s family.
They were given the right to be children of God.

Indeed, ‘believing in Jesus’ is the only way to become children of God.
Children are not born by their own efforts, but by the parents.
In the same way, people are only born again into God’s family by His decision.

All those who are born again are immediately given the right of access to their Heavenly Father.
They are the ones who inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Although there are many religions in the world, Jesus Himself said that He was the only way to the Father (John 14:6 ).
Only through Jesus is it possible for sinful human beings to become sanctified children of God.

Their only contribution is a willingness to agree with God’s condemnation of their sins and
believe that Jesus was punished instead of them.
When people believe that, and choose to receive Jesus, they are born again by God’s Holy Spirit.

That is the gospel message. Jesus commanded the disciples to proclaim it, and Peter preached it at Pentecost (Acts 2:38-39 ).
It is the same gospel message which we can proclaim. Our task is to let others know.

Everyone who knows they are a child of God is concerned that their family and friends should not be left outside His great family.
Perhaps it would be a useful exercise to work out what you would say if somebody asked you,
 “Why should I believe in Jesus?” or “How can I be born again?”

Those opportunities might come to you at work in the next few days so be sure that you are ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15 ).
 
Prayer for the day : -

Heavenly Father. Thank You for choosing that I should be born again into Your family.
I know I do not deserve it and there is nothing I can do to earn it.

Thank You that Jesus came to earth for me.

I am sorry when I have forgotten the immense privilege of being Your child and when I have failed to speak of You.
Please help me to remember that all those who come to You, You will never turn away.

So please enable me to be strong and positive about being Your child,
clearly explaining how others can also be born into Your family.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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" Walk and not faint "

Hardships are like labor pains. They can come at you all of a sudden, without notice and without warning. 

We suffer hardships at all times in varying degrees. 

Children of God suffer hardships during obedient and disobedient times of our lives. 

There are hardships in raising a child with autism. Hardships do not discriminate. 

They can affect anyone at any time of any ethnic background and any age. 

Hardships hurt, build character, annoy you, but bring Godly wisdom. 

Hardships send you on an emotional roller coaster and cause pain, but through Christ you have hope. 

Hope develops perseverance. 

With God hardships are bearable. Without God hardships cannot be tolerated without great negative consequences. 

Hardships will come into our lives but nothing can separate us from the love of God. 

Acts 14:22; Where they strengthened the believers. 

They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

My prayer for the day !

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to be co-heirs with Christ and share in his sufferings, 
As I keep my hope in You, thank You for renewing my strength so I can soar on wings like eagles, 
run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. 
In Jesus name we pray, Amen!