In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:10)
How do we know for sure if we are, in fact, a child of God? Well, we are all created by him, so that does make us his, but what John is referring to here is that specialness that sets us apart. That love we share with others, that devotion we render to our God that is above and beyond the thump of our heart beat.
The children of Satan can be just as easily identified if you know what it is you are looking for. Those who dabble in the "dark arts", those who look to the placement of the stars to guide their daily life and determine whether or not they crawl out of bed, those who indulge in what the "future" has to offer them - they are not following the path of righteousness. We are told time and time again that these are devices of the enemy and should not be toyed with, even in jest. One true God ~ that is who we serve, that is whose voice we listen for, that is where our true blessings come from. And those blessings that fall on us do not come from the dead loved ones we have lost - they come from GOD!!!
It is at our Almighty Father's hands that we receive the things that enable us to better ourselves, it is from his graciousness that we are afforded the opportunity of a better job (or a job at all). It is through someone's constant prayer and devotion to the Father (even with the mistakes we will make) that we are acknowledged as "children of God".
The fact that God sent his son to open a door for us. Through Jesus, we can go to the Father and be heard. Through Jesus, we can be assured of a place in heaven. Through Jesus, our prayers are answered. Through Jesus, we are guided and directed in our waiting.
Letting go of the worry and stress that surrounds us and offering it to him because we know that he will provide for our needs and take care of us while we are on this planet, is not as easy as it sounds, but the joy that will fill your heart when you see his hand sculpting your life is indescribable! He loves to hear you rejoice at his great works! Offer to him the praises due him! It is he, and he alone who gives you all you need! Give back to God what he has freely given to you! Be the child he wants you to be, submit to his will and follow his path. Do whatever it is he has laid before you and do it with a smile and a song! (photo by Stephanie Stevens)
