Today's reading

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. –1 John 3:1-3 NIV

January 18, 2019

Find Family: We Are All Children of God

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. –1 John 3:1-3 NIV

“I’m no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God.” These are the lyrics to a song by Jonathan David Helser. They are powerful words of transformation from being a child of this world to being who you are in Christ. Mark 10:13-16 (NIV) says, “People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” Is there anything better than the giggle and joy of a child? Can you do anything but smile when you hear it? This is how God wants you! He loves to see you smiling and joyful, in need of nothing, loving the moment that you are in, dependent upon Him. Being born again as a child of God through a relationship with Jesus, you have a relationship with your Abba Father. Though you may struggle in this life and cry out for answers, He is always at your side. God created you with a purpose in mind. He knows every hair on your head, He knew you by name before you were formed in your mother’s womb. He knows every step that you take toward Him and away from Him—and He is always there to light your path through His love for you and by the love of His Son in you. As you continue your journey today, be encouraged of who you are and claim it out loud! You are a child of God!

prayer focuses

Meditate on 1 John 3:1-3, and remind yourself who you are in Christ.

Ask God to help you receive Him with childlike faith.

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about the

Author

2019 Revolution Contributors

Devotions for Bayside Community Church's 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting are written and edited by: Gloria Shrock, Barbara Alpert, Dan Richards, Dave Thomas, Kate Hahn, Carol Lewis, Traci Bray, Lisa Christy, Rosemary Valentino, Liz Shirey, Angela Shears, and Kris Rowland.

With content direction and final edits made by Bayside's discipleship and creative teams.