Good morning,

Our devotion for today comes from Galatians 4:7 "So now you are not a slave; you are God's Child, and God will give you the blessing he promised, because you are his child." 

Wherever you are this morning, meditate on this; maybe your past isn't much to brag about.  Maybe you've seen raw evil.  And now you have to make a choice.  Do you rise above the past and make a difference?  Or do you remain controlled by the past and make excuses?
    

Many choose the convalescent homes of the heart.  Healthy bodies.  Sharp minds. But retired dreams.  Back and forth they rock in the chair of regret, repeating the terms of surrender.  Lean closely and you will hear them: "If only."  "If only I'd been born somewhere else."  "If only I'd been treated fairly." 

Maybe you've used those words. Maybe you have every right to use them.  If such is the case, go to John's gospel and read Jesus' words: "Human life comes from human parents, but spiritual life comes from the Spirit" (John 3:6). 

Have a blessed spiritual day!

Your brother in Christ,
J. H. Flakes III