In the Family

Hebrews 10:25a,  "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another....."

I Thessalonians 5:11a,  "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...."

Hebrews 10:24,  "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

Proverbs 27:17,  "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Psalm 68:6a,  "God sets the lonely in families...."

  As the song says,  "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God." God sets us in physical families when we are born physically, but, even more important, He makes us a part of His family when we are born spiritually.  God is the Father in this family, and He is a father who is everything a father should be to His children--loving, teaching, directing, disciplining, and encouraging.  Other Christians all over the world are our brothers and sisters in Christ.  God doesn't want any person to try to live the Christian life alone.  He knows how very much we need the love, the prayers, the encouragement, and the challenges that come from rubbing shoulders with other members of the body.  The quality of our walk with God is greatly enhanced by our interaction with those who are like-minded.  We do ourselves a great service when we walk side by side with other members of God's forever family and help each other grow.

Father, thank You for placing me in Your forever family and being my Father.  Thank You for giving me brothers and sister to help me learn and grow as I try to live a life pleasing to You.  Amen.