From Rejected to Accepted

John 1:12-13 (TLB) Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust him to save them. All those who believe this are reborn!—not a physical rebirth resulting from human passion or plan—but from the will of God.

Have you ever been rejected in your own town? Among your own family? Or even worse, in your home? You are not alone in being rejected. Jesus was not accepted in His own land or among His own people. He has gone through the same suffering. Oftentimes after turning your life around, those closest to you will not accept you. They believe that they know who you "really are." They vividly remember your past and the only way to convince them of a genuine change (aside from divine revelation) is allowing them to see the difference in you through time. As mistakes are made they will want to point out that you aren't any different but you are, because now when you mess up, you desire repentance. You have the Spirit of God in you and you can no longer enjoy the life you once lived. You are changed and set free, no longer bound by sin and destruction. You have the mind of Christ and make godly decisions, you are a child of God and you are accepted by Him! He has adopted you, He chose you, He died for you and now you can live an abundant life in Him. Peace is your pathway, joy is your strength. Be strong and courageous, because someone's breakthrough is waiting for you! Don't wait around for acceptance from the world, you have already been accepted by your Heavenly Father, who knows you well and loves you. Be blessed today!

Ephesians 1:5 (TLB) His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And he did this because he wanted to!

Nehemiah 8:9-10 (TLB) "Don’t cry on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God— it is a time to celebrate with a hearty meal and to send presents to those in need, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. You must not be dejected and sad!"

Romans 8:9 (TLB) But you are not like that. You are controlled by your new nature if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that if anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ living in him, he is not a Christian at all.)