A Heavenly Affirmation
by Max Lucado
“I will be your father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.�
2 Corinthians 6:18 (NCV)
Each of us has a fantasy that our family will be like the Walton’s, an expectation that our dearest friends will be our next of kin. Jesus didn't have that expectation. Look how he defined his family: "My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants" (Mark 3:35).
When Jesus' brother didn't share his convictions, he didn't try to force them. He recognized that his spiritual family could provide what his physical family didn't....
We can't control the way our family responds to us. When it comes to the behavior of others toward us, our hands are tied. We have to move beyond the naive expectation that if we do good, people will treat us right. The fact is they may not--we cannot control how people respond to us....
Let God give you what your family doesn't. If your earthly father doesn't affirm you, then let your heavenly Father take his place.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/11/18/ml_affirmation/
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Max Lucado
From: He Still Moves Stones
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1993)
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/info/view/about_max_lucado/
November 18th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Hello, I say Amen to that devotional and be encourage for the service. Remain faithful to our God in order to receive these words when we get to heaven. "Well done good and faithful servant!"
November 18th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Many of our kindreds don't share our faith is because, they don't get the wisdom. The divine wisdom comes from the knowledge of God, who has created man in His own image.
The knowledge about God comes from the holy Scriptures. As long as people keep the Scripture away from them they won't get wisdom of God and His salvation.
Blessings.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I like this....it's so true. Our most important relationship is with God, with Christ and with our brother's and sister's in Christ. Those who refuse to invite Christ into their lives, those family members we know....we can only continually pray for them. For Christ said: we are to hate our earthy families and love Him. A hard saying but true. Compared to our love for Him we do hate our family and we follow Him no matter the cost.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Amen to this thought, it is very true. Our Abba Father call each of us sons and daughters despite our loneliness etc....... He is always there.
God bless!
November 19th, 2009 at 1:21 am
"we should go beyond the naive expectation that if we do good, people will treat us right" is really tue. i will always try to keep in my mind. Brother you are very right