What if”¦your parents weren”™t God-fearing? Or, what if”¦only one of your parents had faith in God?

What if”¦your family did not attend church regularly, or perhaps, not at all”¦what then?

God does not want anyone to perish. (NIV) 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Note: in order not “˜to perish”™, we have to repent before God.

No matter your upbringing or background God can bless you. We need to turn toward Him by faith and away from sin (that is repenting).

We are not to play the “˜blame game”™ for our lack of faith in God”¦that is our choice!

Accepting the blessing of God”™s love is a choice”¦

[Jesus”™ earthly parents were Joseph and Mary. What can be known about them from the following verse? These parents were godly and this was seen in how they nurtured and raised Jesus”¦to look to God. He had placed His Son in a faith-filled family. Their faith was sure and steadfast; their faith was a blessing and a witness to their family and to others.]

(NASB) Luke 2:40 “The Child continued to grow and became strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.”

What did God do in Jesus as He grew from a Child into those teen-age years? The above verse states that Jesus grew and became strong.

He continued to grow in wisdom. (See Proverbs 8 for a personification of wisdom)

Jesus was given grace from His heavenly Father. God”™s favor that cannot be earned and His abundant love were given to His Son.

Think about this: Jesus”™ sacrifice for your sins began when He was conceived in the womb of Mary! He suffered separation from His Father and the Holy Spirit.

Remember: Jesus the Son, is God, and is inextricably united with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

God”™s love for us is hard to comprehend, it is hard to grasp; nevertheless, it is true.

Have you thanked Him recently?