TRUE FAMILY

Have you ever heard the term, "Blood is thicker than water?" This comes from the bond that people experience from family– those who have the same parents — those who have the same blood. Though natural family ties are potent and vital, there is a family tie that runs deeper and thicker than natural family ties. It is God's very own family. Sometimes we talk about the family of God and don't realize how God sees his family. Consider these words of Jesus. 

Mark 3:31-34 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."

When we love someone, it is natural for us to want to do what pleases them! Understand this though, the longing of God's heart for us is that we would receive the love he has for us as displayed in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Having a loving relationship is not just about loving someone but also about being loved. Apostle John said, "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 Know this; true love begins and ends with God.

Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.

God wants to do beautiful things in our lives, but we must allow the love of the Holy Spirit to do the work in us before it can be lived out through us! 

Phil 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

So, who should we consider to be God's family? It is those who, by faith, have received the love of God. Receiving his love is the power that changes every aspect of life and causes those who have received it to look like and act like God. Remember, "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 Jesus said it like this, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." Jn 14:23

When we know God loves us, it is natural to love him, obey him, and live like him! As Jesus said, "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." Mk 3:34 In other words, it is those living out the purposes of heaven that are indeed the family of God. 

I have often said, “You can never work it up, you must soak it up.” Everything wonderful and powerful will come from God. It will be through him, and it will be to him. Pondering these thoughts will give you a clear understanding of who is God's… 

TRUE FAMILY

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