REAL FAMILY!

Have you had people in your life who do not have your last name and are not related to you in any way, but are your family just the same? From my childhood, I have had those who were not a blood relative but who were indeed family to me. 

Sometimes we talk about the family of God and at the same time, wonder, "who is really my family, and how much of a family are we." Everyone claims their stake in the family of God, but what are the criteria to make someone part of God's family, and who are indeed your brothers and sisters in Christ? 

Mark 5:31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." 

Successfully living out God's purpose on earth is not an act of our will but rather an action of God within us! Those who genuinely do God's will are those who have the life flow of God living through them. Our "oneness" with God is the determining factor of whether our life is God-like or not. Trying to be faithful to God is quite burdensome, but resting in His faithfulness is where the life flow of heaven happens. 

If you want to know what is in a sponge, squeeze it. Likewise, like a sponge, if we soak up the love and life of God, when life’s circumstances pressure us, the love and life of God will come out. In other words, don’t try to work it up – soak it up! Experiencing God on a deeper level and living in his life is not a work that we perform; it comes from surrender and trust. Choosing to surrender to who he is and merely receiving from him is the key to unlocking his life flowing through you. Please don’t ever forget the following statement. Right living is a direct result of right believing. This is why the Bible calls it “grace.” God’s life of righteousness and favor do not come from works but rather from faith. 

God is completely trustworthy and faithful! Today is your day to cast all your cares upon him, knowing he cares for you! (1 Peter 5:7) As you let go of your works and trust him today, may the "right-living" (righteousness) of God become your way of life! I can assure you, anyone surrendered to the love and life of God is… 

REAL FAMILY!

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