For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Ephesians 3:14, 15.
The perception of God’s love works the renunciation of selfishness. In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family.
No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recognized by God. He is the Maker of all mankind. All men are of one family by creation, and all are one through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple courts, that every soul may have free access to God.
He came to show that His gift of mercy and love is as unconfined as the air, the light, or the showers of rain that refresh the earth.
His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. It lifts out of Satan’s influence those who have been deluded by his deceptions, and places them within reach of the throne of God, the throne encircled by the rainbow of promise.
God is our Father and Governor…. The principles which rule in heaven should rule upon earth, the same love that animates the angels, the same purity and holiness that reign in heaven, should, as far as possible, be reproduced upon earth.
If you call God your Father, you acknowledge yourselves His children, to be guided by His wisdom and to be obedient in all things, knowing that His love is changeless. You will accept His plan for your life. As children of God, you will hold His honor, His character, His family, His work, as the objects of your highest interest. It will be your joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father and to every member of His family. You will rejoice to do any act, however humble, that will tend to His glory or to the well-being of your kindred.
The Faith I Live By p. 65
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Prayer Requests
—–please pray God will protect my house as I go to an app. today.. I had a window broken in my home early this morning. Eva
—–My Grammy is in need of prayers. I know she won’t admit it, but she’s very scared about a procedure she needs done on her back on Feb 2. Evidently back in mid November she tripped on her yard and unknowingly fractured her back. Jennifer
—–Please pray for my husband my Son my 2 daughter’s and my 4 grandchildren. That they will accept Jesus as there saviour and be ready when the Lord returns to take us all home. Ruth
—–Please pray for a little girl who fell into a frozen pool and is not doing well. Brenda
—–Please pray for my oldest son. He found out recently that his wife has been having an affair and he is just devastated. Connie
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Dear Friends,
Years ago when we were first married, Ron and I lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan. There were many fun things to do in the area at that time, and it seemed like Ron always wanted to do something fun in the evenings. Somehow he found out about a place where we could ride horses and decided that was going to be the entertainment for the evening. I wasn’t too excited about that, because I’m allergic to horses and had not even been near a horse since I was about five. That didn’t matter. He had not been on a horse in years either.
Of course, we went. I managed to pull myself up on that huge animal which was not an easy task. As soon as I was in the saddle, that beast knew that I had no idea what I was doing. Animals can sense those things. Since I did not know how to control her, she decided that she would control me, and she did a good job of it. We were supposed to follow the guide as he took us on a trail ride. My horse was tired of seeing the same scenery. She decided to stray from the path. I made an effort to get her back where she belonged, but she knew who was boss—she was. The guide rode back to where I was and gave me a few instructions. Not too far down the path, my horse spied a delicious clump of tender grass. Off the path she went to eat that delicacy. Since I was her captive, I went along too.
The guide was getting a little impatient. This trail ride was taking much longer than it was supposed to. Several times this happened and finally he just took the reigns away from me and led the horse the rest of the way. By that time, humiliation was the least of my worries. My eyes itched, my nose was running like a faucet, and I was completely miserable.
How often someone talks us into something that we know is wrong. It may be just a small thing that we are sure we can try just once and never do again. At first it seems like it will give us the pleasure we are looking for, but soon we find that we cannot control it any more than I could control that wayward horse. We try our best, we struggle against it, but no matter what we do, we are held captive by it. The sin that looked so innocent, that sounded like so much fun, becomes our master.
We finally realize our condition, but we are so helpless, that we cannot do anything to change. We are taken wherever our sin carries us. We cry out in our helplessness for someone to help, for someone to save us from our condition. Praise God, there is Someone Who hears! Our Dear Saviour hears our plaintive cry for deliverance and inclines His ear unto us. He gives us the help that we need. He assures us, “Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me.” 27:5 “Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee. Isa 41:10, 13 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” 30:21 Precious Saviour! He is our Helper, our Comforter, our Guide, our Salvation!
Let us pray as did the psalmist , “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Ps 119:133 Let us reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us determine that by His power and grace, sin will not reign in us or have dominion over us, is my prayer.
Rose