Romans 8:16 (NKJV) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, INTRODUCTION The essence of worship is relationship. God doesnt want us to kneel grudgingly or to grovel at his feet in terror simply because he is all-powerful. That's why he has made us his children, coheirs with Christ - not simply his servants. He accepts our worship when it comes from a heart that knows and trusts his goodness and love. He has secured our forgiveness and given us eternal life, and he longs for a meaningful relationship with us. When we truly begin to grasp that and pursue a deeper connection with him, our worship becomes the heartfelt, outward flow of our love for him. [NIV Once A Day Bible] COMMENTARY PEARL Whenever anyone asks me how I can be so certain about who and what God really is, I am reminded of the story of the little boy who was out flying a kite. It was a fine day for kite flying, the wind was brisk, and large billowy clouds were blowing across the sky. The kite went up and up until it was entirely hidden by the clouds. "What are you doing?" a man asked the little boy. "I'm flying a kite," he replied. "Flying a kite?" the man said. "How can you be sure? You can't see the kite." "No," said the boy, "I can't see it, but every little while I feel a tug, so I know for sure that it's there!" Don't take anyone else's word for God. Find Him for yourself by inviting Jesus Christ to come into your life. Then you, too, will know by the wonderful, warm tug on your heartstrings that He is there for sure. [Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC 1 John 3:24 - Living in Union with Christ. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20181218-0937.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170202-1035.html John 15:4, 5 - The Crucial and Vital Relationship With Christ. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160109-1614.html YOUR COMMENTS If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or testimony on this passage of Scripture, either personal or otherwise, I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred Gibbs LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT Most Important Decision in Life: http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: https://stepstopeace.org/ Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782 Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ Amazing Facts Bible Studies: http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study Guides: https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/ LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/ Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657 Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE