Formed for God's Family

Chuckle: “Smartness runs in my family. When I went to school I was so smart my teacher was in my class for five years.” --George Burns

Good Quote: “When you look at your life, the greatest happiness's are family happiness's." --Dr. Joyce Brothers

"YOU WERE FORMED FOR GOD’S FAMILY" (Unless otherwise noted, quotations are from Rick Warren's "Meditations on the Purpose Driven Life.")

"God's unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure" (Ephesians 1:5 NET).

Last time, we were reminded that God created us to "Bring Him Pleasure." We please God by serving him and worshiping him. Anything we do that pleases God is an act of worship.

The second purpose for your life is to be a part of God's family. There are some who believe all human beings are a part of God's family based solely on the fact that God created us all. However, we must not confuse God's creation with God's family. All were created by God, but, unfortunately, not all are members of God's family. We become part of God's family only through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

God has wanted a family from the beginning of time. Intertwined with the thread of God's love throughout the entire Bible is the thread of his desire to establish a family for himself who will love him, honor him, fellowship with him, and reign with him forever. He wants you to be a part of that family -- his eternal family -- and made provisions for us to do so. Read this incredible verse: "So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters" (Hebrews 2:11 NLT).

"Jesus calls us his brothers and sisters! We're not just called to believe. We're called to belong -- to belong to the family of God." As a believer, isn't it comforting to know and understand that we are brothers and sisters with Jesus as members of God's family? As members of God’s family, we accept responsibility for nurturing and strengthening our new family. "God has given us the privilege of being born again so that now we are members of God's own family. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth" (1 Peter 1:3 NJB). Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again'" (John 3:5-7 NIV). Once we are born into the family of God, how should we live? Next time.

Have a great day as you reflect on your being a member of God's family!

Love, Jerry & Dotse