Acceptance Weekly devotional by Barbara Sanders Everyone wants to feel wanted, to be accepted.  Many spend a lifetime trying to gain acceptance in one way or another.  They worry about what people might think of them, as if the clothes they wear, the house they own, the car they drive, their 'higher education', or where their children attend school is the meter through which people gauge them for acceptance.

True, some do base who they accept on material or worldly things.  But why worry about what others may think, if you and your family get along, accept each other for what you are, not on the basis of what you have or can obtain.
Too many people find out too late who their true friends are when they get into a bind and need help.

There is one who requires no finery or riches for you to be accepted.  Instead, by his death, he has given us the free gift of salvation through grace by faith in Him.  When you come to know his name, to have his spirit within you and become a willing vessel for him, then you have gained the acceptance of the one who makes all the difference in your life.

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; In whom could you put your trust that would give his life for you?  I know no other one!

Do you blindly follow after the praises of others in trying to be accepted?  Do you think that 'acceptance' in this world will make you a better person or make you happy?  This is a myth, a lie from the devil, and false hope.  Only GOD above has the power to make us free and truly accepted.  We kid ourselves to think otherwise.  If we are honest, there is always a longing that cannot be filled by every day belongings, friendships, family, or riches.
Letting Christ be your Saviour and guiding you through your life will put a change in you that you never felt possible.  True peace will flood your soul, make you free!

Psalms 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: [for] praise is comely for the upright.

Psalms 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.

The Lord wants our praise and honor.  King David said:

Psalms 34:1 <[A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.> I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.

Psalms 28:7 The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Heavenly Father, I praise your name in all things.  I thank you for your SON who died to set us free.  May we live a life that is pleasing in your sight.  In Jesus Name I pray.  Amen.

Copyright 2004 by Barbara Sanders, Empire, AL. Used by permission.
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