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Time Out for God
Devotional Ministry
By Danna Appleby
The Family of God
His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure. (Ephesians 1:5)
There has always been something special about being a member of God’s family. When I was growing up we occasionally traveled to different churches on the weekends with my father who was a minister. In each one, I couldn’t help but feel a wonderful bond among the people even though I didn’t even know them. I realize now that the distinct feeling I had was that we were in the same family – the family of God.
I’ve found that you can travel the world over and find that same kindred spirit among brothers and sisters in Christ. We may not be able to speak the same language, but a wonderful kinship exists no matter how far we may go. When my husband and I went on a mission trip to
Down through the years, I’ve heard testimonies of how people came to Christ. It didn’t matter about their past because when they called upon the name of the Lord, He took them by the hand and adopted them into His own family. They became joint heirs with Jesus, God’s Son. Nothing was required other than to surrender their hearts to the One who loved them and gave His life. Then Jesus in His great love and mercy took care of everything else! At that time, each one became a member of God’s family. (Romans 8:17)
It was a happy day for Him when He gave us our new lives, through the truth of His Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in His new family. (James 1:18 LB)
Soon after the born again experience, changes begin to take place on the inside of every new member in the family. It isn’t long before those changes become so evident that other people begin to notice. But isn’t it only natural to take on the resemblance of the One who created us, Jehovah God, the Great I Am? When those things occur, it becomes evident that we have been adopted into the family -- the family of God! We were made in His image and we begin to resemble the very One who formed us. (Genesis 1:27)
Being in the family of God isn’t contingent upon race or color. God loves each of us and is pleased with what He created. He loves the dark man and He loves the light man. He loves every one of us and looks down with eyes of love hoping all will come to Him in repentance. The great thing about it is that nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:35)
Being in the family of God isn’t contingent upon religious affiliation. If we once worshiped idols, we can cast them aside and come to Jesus Christ. He opens His arms of love to all who will trust Him for their salvation. When that happens we can be included in God’s family for all eternity. He accepts all and there is no respecter of persons. When Jesus cleanses us with His precious Blood we become one with Him in Christ and a new life comes with it like we’ve never known before.
Being in the family of God gives us special entitlements. When we go to a new job one of the first things we want to know about are the perks. We want to hear the good things the job has to offer. The same goes for becoming a member of God’s family, there are perks and those perks I refer to are God’s Promises. His Promises apply to all who belong to Him and we can take Him at His Word. No good thing will He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Ps. 84:11)
. . . He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
(2 Peter 1:4)
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we have a very special privilege in becoming sons and daughters of the Most High God? I count it an honor to be called His child and I love Him more every day. (2 Cor. 6:18)
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:7)
Then one glad day those whose souls have been washed clean by the precious blood of Jesus will leave this world and all of its cares behind. There’s a day coming when our Blessed Savior will call us to our eternal Home. Every heavy burden will be laid down. Everything we’ve endured, every sickness, every trial and temptation will be over. Jesus awaits the Father’s Word telling Him to go and gather His children from one end of the earth to the other.
It will indeed be a happy reunion when we meet the saints of old and see our family we’ve waited so long for. We will rejoice for all the ages as we worship around the throne with our family – the Family of God.
Prayer: Father, I rejoice this day as I think about my heritage and the earthly family you’ve given me; a godly mother, father, grandparents and many family members who have walked faithfully with you. I rejoice because you gave me loved ones who have been instrumental in helping me become who I am today. I rejoice that you have given me brothers and sisters all around the world who share the same love for Jesus that I do. I pray for each of them today to prepare their hearts to meet your Son for the trumpet will be sounding soon as He returns in the clouds of glory. Help those who are not ready to meet you Lord. Cleanse their hearts as they lay their lives before you. Do a mighty work in us from this day forward until we see you face to face. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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