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The Family Of God
Mark 10:29-30 '"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-- and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life." (NIV)
 Fathers and mothers are in short supply in our society. Families are breaking up a rapid rate and many younger people have never known the security of a real home. In the face of this onslaught against the family, the church can offer something which is not to be found elsewhere. What did Jesus mean when he made the statement above? He meant that when we become Christians, we may lose favour with our own familIes, but the church itself become like a family to us. The church is not just another social club or networking organization, it's a family. One of the greatest witnesses for the resurrection of Jesus is the 'familiness' of the church (Titus 2:1-8). Through the local church, Jesus offers us all the opportunity to learn from people who've blazed the trail before us -- and to pass on our experience to those who follow us into the faith. We are wise if we seek out faith-filled people who have known the Lord far longer than we have and open ourselves to hear their experiences and learn from their walk. We are wise if we identify people who might benefit from our experience, and pour our hearts into them. We are wise if we take advantage of the great family God has given us.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me such a huge and caring family. I know it's not perfect; no family ever is. But I commit myself again today to playing my part in building up this great family of faith, and learning from my brothers and sisters.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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