Holy night

https://youtu.be/1yPhAKvQNNE

O Holy night

https://youtu.be/1yPhAKvQNNE

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Countryside, Maramures, Romania.

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Spiritual Identity

SPIRITUAL IDENTITY 
Galatians 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God 

As you consider the importance of your spiritual identity and the spiritual identity of your children, meditate on these passages: The spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ(Galatians 3:26, 27). And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God(Galatians 4:6, 7). But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:9, 10). See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. . . . Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And anyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:1-3). Mom and Dad, do you want your sons and daughters to purify themselves? Then find out who you are as a child of God, and help your children establish the same eternal relationship by discovering their identity in Him. 

Prayer: Lord, continue to show me who I am in Christ that I may encourage my children in their relationship with You.

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FOLLOWING HIM

FOLLOWING HIM

Matthew 16:24 

If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him . . . follow Me

Seeking to overcome self by self-effort is a hopeless struggle. Self will never cast out self, because an independent self motivated by the flesh still wants to be God. We must follow Christ by being led by the Holy Spirit down the path of death to self-rule. As Paul wrote: "We who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2 Corinthians 4:11).

This may sound like a dismal path to walk, but I assure you that it is not. It is a tremendous experience to be known by the Shepherd and to follow Him as obedient, dependent sheep (John 10:27). The fact that we are led by the Spirit of God, even when it results in the death to self-rule, is our assurance of sonship (Romans 8;14). We were not designed to function independently of God. Only when we are dependent on Him and intent on following Christ are we complete and free to prove that the will of God is good, acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).

Self-rule is motivated by self-interest and supported only by self-centered resources. When we come to the end of our resources, we discover God's resources. God will let us do our thing and patiently wait until self-interest and self-rule leave us spiritually and emotionally bankrupt. We can turn to God any time we weary of trying to run our own lives independently of Him. He doesn't force Himself on us; He just simply says, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him... follow Me." Are you willing to forsake self-rule and follow Him?

Prayer: Loving Shepherd, I desire Your will for my life, and I purpose today to follow You in obedience and dependence.    

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