Day 15: Formed for God's Family

UGGGGH. I was half way through my blog, and now it's gone. I don't know what happened, it auto saves as I type. Teresa had a good idea that I write in word, and then paste it into the blog. I'm gonna start doing that, and then just add the html stuff once I get all the text in. But even disappearing blogs won't get me down. :pppp Satan, I'll just start over and this one will rock even harder!

I LOVE Sundays. Today was an extra special Sunday, because after Church, we went to the beach with our Church family. My wife and I don't have any relatives near by. At least not in the way most people think of relatives. Relatives like mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers are united by a common bond, be it blood or marriage. But we have another family in Christ. And you know what, that bond is a bond of Marriage and Blood. The church is the 'bride' of Christ, that analogy is used throughout the Bible, and the Blood of Christ, washes us clean from our sin. I may not have family like you know them, but I have a town full of brothers and sisters in Christ. We have a family reunion once a week, and you're welcome to join me anytime you're in town.

As an infant, I was baptized in a Roman Catholic traditional ceremony. It was supposed to let the world know that I belonged to Christ. But baptism is a declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, I didn't have faith at that age. Like I said, it was symbolic. A few years ago, I was re-baptized in the Atlantic Ocean, and just like when I was an infant it was in front of my whole family. My new family! God's family.

That is better than anything you can imagine. I remember as a kid watching Saturday morning cartoons. There was one "Richie Rich", and it was about a little boy who had, as the saying goes, more money than God. (Then again, God's not interested in money.) That boy had everything on earth you can dream of. But being part of God's family has much greater benefits. My inheritance from God is twofold, on Earth and in Heaven. On Earth I receive the riches of His grace, kindness, patience, glory wisdom, power, and mercy. In Heaven, I will be in God's presence forever, I will be changed to be like Christ, I will be freed from pain, death, and suffering, I will be rewarded and reassigned a position of service, and will get to share in Christ's Glory. Richie Rich couldn't buy that!

Sometimes I don't feel like I belong in God's family. I've talked to a few people about how I feel like an usher. I can take people into God's theater, lead them to their seats, and then go back outside and wait. God is Holy and I am dust. But the good news is that Jesus makes me Holy. God is proud of me. He has been waiting for me to be a part of His family forever. He even calls my next place "home". In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2(NIV) I don't know about you, but I can't wait!

The Bible verse comes from the Book of Ephesians. Paul wrote this book to encourage the people of Ephesus.

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ
Eph 1:5a(NLT)

Today's question: How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family? I should be warm and welcoming to other believers, hug them, show them kindness even when I'm not feeling it, and love them like Jets fans even if they are wearing Orange and Teal.

Remember:I was formed for God's Family