May 9, 2013 - John 1:12

            Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.  John 1:12

            Jesus, God’s only Son, came to live among humanity and gave opportunity for all to receive Him.  Yet John tells us that the world, (meaning most of humanity), chose not to believe and, hence, did not receive Him.  Everyone that did believe in Jesus was given the “right to become children of God.”  Becoming God’s child is something that was, and is, given; not earned.  There was nothing that could be done to earn our way into becoming a child of God, and there was no way that we could become His child on our own.  It was only in receiving Jesus, and becoming His follower, that we all were given the privilege of being brought into His family.

            For years, I struggled with the thought of being God’s child and of thinking of God as my Father.  Because of issues with my family of origin, I did not have a good view of God as my heavenly Father.  Oh, I knew intellectually that God was my Father, but in my heart, I was very guarded.  Not too long ago, I believe that God allowed me to have a more personal encounter with Him, and I experienced His love washing over me and felt His embrace as a father embraces his child.  My heart was changed!  I felt, in a new and refreshing way, that I had receive Him and believed in His name – Father….my Father.

            Questions to consider: What does it mean for you to receive God and to believe in His name?  Do you know what it feels like to be God’s child?  What story from your life can you tell that expresses how you have received God as your Father?

            Prayer: Thank You, Father, for loving me and receiving me as Your child.  Help me to live my life with the full awareness of being Your child.  Amen.