DO YOU TAKE THE FAMILY OF GOD FOR GRANTED? WHAT DEFINES THE FAMILY OF GOD TO ME? anybody who has encouraged and blessed me with their godly leadership, their godly friendship and their godly wisdom. So today I am giving thanks for to ALL of you who represent my family of God!
- A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER
- A PASTOR
- A BIBLE STUDY LEADER
- A PRAYING NEIGHBOR
- A CHRISTIAN FRIEND
- A GODLY MENTOR
- MY PRAYER PARTNERS
MATTHEW 12:50 " Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."
I am reminded of a story I read recently in one of my daily devotional books. It speaks of this very subject - the family of God:Billy was attending his first day of jr high. An opening assembly introduced all the homeroom teachers. Miss Smith was introduced first. She was an 'easy' teach, so all of the kids cheered. Mr. Brown also met with thundering approval. But Mr. Johnson was known to be a very strict disciplinarian. As the jeers cascaded down on him, the pain was so evident on his face.What a great example and reminder to us that in God's family - we are all brothers and sisters. Not only are we to invest in each other but we are to build one another up. In the family of God, when one of us hurts, we all hurt. In the story of Billy - he may not have gone about it in the right way but we see that he had the right concept of this idea of the family of God. That is ~ when our Christian brothers and sisters are suffering or in pain - we are to do everything we can to help them out.
This scene was just so devastating to the brand-new seventh grader, so suddenly Billy stood up in the middle of the bleachers and shouted: "BE QUIET! That's my father!" Instantly, the booing stopped.
After school, Billy went home, and when he saw his father, he began to cry. "Dad today I told a lie at school." Billy confessed to his father how he had yelled at the other kids and told them to be nice to Mr. Johnson. Billy's father said to him, "It's alright son, You just got the family members mixed up. Mr. Johnson's not your father -He is your brother!"
I am so thankful that I belong to a family of God just like that! I am thankful for my church family, my Christian friends, my encouraging blogging friends and all of my prayer partners ... whom all invest and build me up. THANK YOU.
Please join IRIS as she leads us in THANKFUL THURSDAY. Click HERE and read about other grateful hearts today. In ALL things give thanks!
I am so blessed to be a part of the family of God.
ReplyDeleteLaurie,
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. Just excellent. Thank you.
Yes, we have so much to be thankful for - especially be adopted into the Family of God!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragment today!
In His amazing grace,
Jill
Blessed to be in His family, and I'm so thankful for you, sister! Awesome post! Happy Thankful Thursday!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, beautiful blessings. Happy Thankful Thursday!
ReplyDeletehttp://crazyadventuresinparenting.blogspot.com/2008/10/thankful-thursday-29-days-of-giving.html
Yes, we are blessed to a part of the family of God. Your post also touched my heart, as my husband and I have been searching and praying for a church home in our area. A place where we can learn and serve amongst "our family".
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks for sharing, I think our church family is a wonderful thing to be thankful for!
ReplyDeleteI recently joined a small group at our church and so your post really rings true to me. It is wonderful to be in such intimate fellowship with fellow believers, and so needed. I always took that for granted before, but now I see why it is so important. Great post!
I'm thankful to be a part of the family of God, too, and I'm thankful for you. You have such a gift of encouragement. Thank you! I haven't been by in a few days since things have been a little busy, but know that I'm thinking of you and praying for you.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Laura
Blessings Laurie & thank you for your visit & condolences! I'm at a
ReplyDelete"pay" pubic cyber but wanting to try and catch up with some friends , sistas & family of God!
Bless your sweet words on the Family of God! I'm so blessed by the family of God & prayers! Thank you for your grateful heart to each part of the church family!& the story you shared of our brothers (& sisters). I'm thankful I'm part of the family of God and share with you, a beautiful home church and even family here in Mexico! Thank you Laurie for your heart and sharing God's Word!
Laurie, you are right. It is wonderful to know that we are part of God's family. He will always send someone that will lift us up, will encourage us. I know - I have been on the receiving end.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us.
Be blessed today and always...