forever FAMILY (hIS FLESH AND BLOOD)

The past couple weeks have been a whirl wind of faces, names, and smiles.  We have had a couple mission teams come through the ministry this summer working on houses in our community.  Growing up at the ministry I saw a whirl wind of faces, names, and smiles.  Getting married, going to school, and teaching took us to new towns and new churches…more faces, names, and smiles of our forever family.  Are they our real flesh and blood?  No, not all of them, but they are our forever family through His blood. 

Our forever family is anyone bought at a very high cost.  The cost of Jesus Christ’s blood on the cross at Calvary is what links us to people across the seas, people across denominational lines, and people across the street from our own homes.  The miracle of salvation is what connects us.  If we are led by the Spirit- we are forever family. Meeting and getting to truly know our forever family is something worth so much more than anything money could ever buy.  It is precious.  Like no other time in our history it is needed.  Iron sharpens iron- and we need to be around other believers.     

Hearing their stories; seeing the way they reach out to people in our community that others many times reject, ignore, or turn away from.  Seeing my forever family in action is a beautiful sight.  My forever family is anyone who has been adopted by Jesus… anyone who confesses their sin and follows after Jesus, anyone who the Spirit bears witness with their spirit.  They come in all different shapes and sizes.  Different backgrounds, talents, colors, denominations; yet one thing that we have in common make all the difference in the world- Jesus Christ! 

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14-17

This era is like no other in history.  Sin is celebrated like never before; people want to make what God calls evil good and what God calls good evil.  “Follow your heart, do what feels right, you are perfect just the way you are…”  Are a few of the lies we continually hear.  The Word is very clear about many issues, and the world is trying to redefine so much of what God has established.  Our heart is sinful (Mark 7:21), our feelings are very misleading (Isaiah 5:20-21), and no one is perfect except Christ (Romans 3:23).  We need to be held accountable in our relationship with the Lord. 

It is refreshing to be surrounded by people who are yes, sinful, but who also love the Lord.  People who you might not see for weeks or years at a time, but you love them and have a much tighter bond than some of your own “flesh and blood” family.  How does that happen?  Jesus.  Forever family is powerful.  Forever sisters and brothers in Christ can pray together, work together, cry together and one day live in eternity forever.  Our Abba, Father is preparing for us an eternal home like nothing we have ever known.  The closest way of knowing that love and heavenly bliss this side of heaven is through fellowship with our forever family through His Spirit. 

We need that fellowship more than we realize.  Jesus designed us with fellowship in mind.  The simple act of eating together not only nurtures our bodies, but our souls as well.  The amazing act of praying together does more for people than trying to fix their problems.  Take it to the Father and let Him lead.  The loving act of working side by side keeps our faith active and challenges others to do the same.  Jesus came into the world to serve, not to be served. Pray for more fellowship with your forever family.  Be open and real with them.  Enjoy them and realize when you look in their eyes, you are getting to see glimpses of our Abba, Father!    

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