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“So God created man in His own image, in the image of
God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Gen. 1:27 NIV
The Father says we are His family, His sons and daughters: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:18 RGT)

Created in our heavenly Father’s image, we become His children through the shed blood of Jesus and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, just as the disciple John tells us, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12 NKJV)

Matthew Henry said, “A sanctified soul bears the image of God, as the child bears the image of the father.”

Are you a parent? Do you have sons and/or daughters? Who do they look like? Who do they act like?

Do they say of your child, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”? Or “He’s a chip off the old block”? Or “She’s the spitting image of her mother.” What do they mean? They mean he is just like his father, and she is just like her mother. Just a smaller version.

When you look at your child, do you see yourself, your spouse, or some other family member? Does your child have your eyes, your fingers, your build, your hair, your nose, your toes, your mouth, or does he or she have your mannerisms, talents, same interests, and so on? Then that child is like you, in the same manner, the same character.

Does your little boy follow Daddy around like a little shadow, wanting to imitate and pattern everything after his father – to walk like him, talk like him, act like him? Does your little girl dress up and pretend she’s grown up like Mommy? Little kids love to imitate. That’s how they learn.

When God looks at you, what does He see? He sees you as His child made in His own image. Paul said, “Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].” (Eph. 5:1 Amp)

So, how do we do that? We manifest the Father’s character in our daily lives, as Paul said, by living “soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” (Titus 2:12 NKJV)

Paul said that we also imitate our heavenly Father by putting on behavior marked by “tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of (ourselves), gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].” (Col. 3:12 Amp)

Only by close interaction and contact with a parent will a child pick up the same habits, tendencies, likes and dislikes, and character of a parent. And so it is with us. To learn to be like God, we must be constantly in His presence, following Him around like a little shadow. (Or is that in His shadow?)

The Father desires His children to imitate Him, to listen to Him, to obey Him, and just to be with Him. But until we sit at the feet of our heavenly Father, we will not resemble Him nor our Elder Brother.

Jesus gave us a model for imitation. He said, “I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.” (John 13:15 Msg)

He beckons us, “Follow Me!” But do we?

I share with you a word, or rather words, from the Lord...

“O, Lord…lead me in a plain and even path.” (Ps. 27:11 Amp)

“Remember all that I have done for those in the past? You have read how I led Moses and parted the sea making a path for My loved ones to follow; how I led Abraham to become the father of many nations; how I led David, Isaac and Paul, My disciples and all the others. You have heard of the many people I still lead today, who tell how I have told them what to say and what to do and where to go.

“These people are no more special to Me than you are. But they all have one thing in common - a yielded will, a humbleness that wants to do My will more than anything else. And that is what I wish for you to have.

“I want you to be led by My Spirit. Sometimes a child of Mine, whose priorities are not of My making and whose ears are filled with the noise of the world, will not sit still long enough to hear Me. I want you to sit still before Me so that My Spirit can whisper many wonders to you.

“I cannot lead you if you are not on My path. If you leave My path to follow your own will, you will find the hurts of life. There will always be hurts on My path, too, but you will not find My complete guidance when you go your own way. You must walk all the way with Me. My way is smoother. My load is lighter. Your load becomes heavy only when you try to carry it alone or when you don’t realize you have taken on too much for your shoulders to bare. You must let Me carry it.

“I am answering your prayers - all is in answer to your prayers. But you must believe that I am taking care of all things in your life.

“I have led others in the past. Do you not think I would lead you? I have, I do, and I will, just allow Me to do so.

“My Spirit is ever ready to guide and direct you. Just keep the listening ear open and uncluttered from any other voices. My Voice is all you need to hear. Mine is the only True Voice. I love you. Just trust Me to do the very best for you and for those whom you love and care for.

“I have much to teach you. Keep your heart open to My words and let them be absorbed into your life and being. Be a reflection of Me. You are My Mirror to the world - a hurting world that needs love. Will you not care for them as I do? They are your brothers and sisters. Love your family. Pray much for them. Love them for Me.

“I will use you to speak for Me. Be ever ready. You will never know when I need to use you, when I need to give someone a loving, comforting word. There are many out there who are hurting, as you have hurt. Together, we will soothe and comfort and ease the pain of many. Follow Me. I know the Way. And it leads to Life Itself.”