For those who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Lord of All, there is a special gift provided. As Jesus prepared to leave earth, he promised that he would provide a comforter to those who believed in him. That comforter, that resource, that power was actually the Holy Spirit, God's spirit within us.

Each of us has our own spirit when we are born. It is one of personal, selfish desires. Yes, I do believe that babies are born with sin in their heart but God has a special grace for them until they are old enough to understand right from wrong. If you doubt that, leave two one year old babies in a play area with one toy. Watch how quickly one will dominate another to get what he/she wants.

At some point in our child's life, we as parents, can recognize that our children are no longer simply unaware of why they do things that are wrong. We actually see them with the intent of challenging authority, pressing for their own selfish desires, and demanding their way even though they have been taught something completely opposite. It is at these times that we see their inner spirit start to adapt ways of following sin. It is up to us, as godly parents, to adjust these paths before they lead to long-lasting damage.

This is another reason for brokenness within us. It is difficult for our own spirit, which doesn't vary much from the one we had as a child, to give up our control for another person's control. We have to be broken from within in order to allow God's Holy Spirit to guide us. The intent is to give over to God those things that God would manage best anyway. It is for our own good that He leads and directs our decisions. Just as it's best for our children to follow our guidance, for a period of time, it is best for us, as God's children, to allow Him to guide us forever. Why not? He know's all things, has all power, exists everywhere, knows everyone and is everlasting. That is a pretty good source of knowledge if you ask me. 

Now we get to the point of the message, how do we know what God wants us to do? This isn't just about parenting, this is about everything and everyone in life. There is a source within us that revolts and wants it's own way. There is a source from God that wants only what is best for us and everyone around us. There is another source, Satan, that wants to lie to us and destroy us by allowing us to remain independent of God. The choice comes in who will we believe.

More to come on this...

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twh