Erich W. Kopischke (Sunday pm session)

[pam]

The feeling of being accepted by someone we love is a basic human need.

Being accepted by good people motivates us.

Those who can't find acceptance in good places look elsewhere.

Striving for a role of position or prominence may also be ways of seeking acceptance. They may define their worth by this.

Even in the church we are not free by this kind of thinking. This puts us on a dangerous path. It can lead us astray and ultimately to destruction.

The ultimate source of empowerment and acceptance is through our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

They don't look at our status. They look into our hearts. They look at what we are and what we want to become.

Steps to being accepted by the Lord:

Know that our hearts are honest and broken.

Know that our spirts are contrite

Be willing to observe our covenants by sacrifice.

As we look into our hearts we screen ourselves. We know our motives and desires.

A broken heart is a soft and open and a receptive heart.

The word contrite is definied as feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong.

We are teachable to all things pertaining to righteousness.

We feel sorry and are willing to repent.

We are willing to listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

Too often we think sacrifice refers to something big or something hard to do. Mostly it refers to living day to day as a disciple of Christ.

Having the Holy Ghost as our constant companion is the ultimate indicator of being accepted by Jesus Christ.

Sometimes observing our covenants means nothing more than standing firmly and steadfastly when the storms of life are raging around us.

As we are personally in tune with the spirit of the Lord, and feel His acceptance, we will be blessed above our understanding.