I love my family. We are definitely not normal, but each member is unique and special and so lovable!Families are God's idea. The first group created was the family unit and God liked it so much He told mankind to be fruitful and multiply. It's been said that every new baby is God's sign that the world should go on. I think there is an element of truth in that thought.
He also has a heart for those families who are incomplete. Widows and orphans are promised His protection and He won't stand for anyone mistreating them. He says in His word that He will set the solitary in families* so I don't believe it is His will for anyone to travel this journey totally alone.
One of the ways that people are included in families is by becoming members of the church. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we become joint-heirs with Christ.** We are sons and daughters which makes us brothers and sisters.
When the early church began, fellowship with one another was very important to them.*** In fact, they ate together every day!
As many of you know, I'm a church ministry assistant and, of course, I'm a big believer of everyone having a home church.
Why should you go to church? Well, it's God's idea**** for one thing, but also, because you need community with the saints. Fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters is often the closest thing to family here on earth that many can find. In fact, sometimes we can become closer to our Christian brothers and sisters than to blood relatives just because of time spent together and having the same interests.
"... so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another." Romans 12:5 NKJV
Ironically, the same week we at The Loft are writing about family, we at my small fellowship of saints, are studying church membership.
I love how the Word describes us as being part of the body - members of one another. In my opinion, that makes us related. We're related by blood - His blood - and we are all on a journey to become more like our big brother, Jesus.
Now, when part of my body hurts, like when I've had an eczema flare-up on my hands, I can hardly think about anything except how my hands hurt. I will wish my skin to be like normal and think about how good life is when I don't hurt.
Should I not be as concerned when part of my church body is hurting? Can life be carefree and happy for me when I know they are going through a struggle?
Likewise, when one of my brothers or sisters has something good happen, I should be celebrating big time.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15
We are family on the journey toward Home together. It's good to have traveling companions.
~~~
For further study:
* Psalm 68:5-7
** Romans 8:16-18
*** Acts 2:41-43
**** Hebrews 10:25
I'm linking this post at The Loft, a community of Christian Bloggers. Today, we are talking family. Share about yours! You can link up here.
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such a nice post
ReplyDeletevery good!! and a great family photo!
ReplyDeleteI am not one that will ever abandon the church family. It's so important to be in community. I do hope your eczema flares are under control. Our Katie suffers from eczema from time to time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great picture of your family! So true how God designed families and how he does take care of the widows, orphans, and the fatherless. I liked how you described the body of the church; lots of wisdom in that!
ReplyDeletebetty
Great post Jerralea! Your family is beautiful and when I hear someone say their family is not "normal"... I say what is normal. Describe what that looks like. There are so many different types of "normal".
ReplyDeleteLove all the scripture you brought into this post. We personally have tried to follow God's word here. We adopted to "orphans" and my widowed grandmother lives with us. I know we are not perfect by any stretch but we try to follow Gods command to Love. :)
Hope you have a beautiful weekend! With your beautiful family!!!
Such a true post! Family and the church are so important. God's gift to Adam was Eve and he continually give us the gifts of people in our lives through various ways. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a true post! Family and the church are so important. God's gift to Adam was Eve and he continually give us the gifts of people in our lives through various ways. :)
ReplyDeleteWell said! We often forget that we have a church FAMILY that needs nurturing just like our biological family (I am bad at remember this, so thanks for the remidner!).
ReplyDeleteLots of good stuff here, Jerralea! I completely agree that every one who calls themselves a Christ-follower needs a church home. We need a Bible believing, Bible teaching church home.
ReplyDelete