"While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, 'Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.' But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, 'Who is My mother and who are My brothers?' And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, 'Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.'” Matthew 12:46-50
Jesus' fame had now grown so much that wherever he went, a crowd gathered. It is easy to imagine how controversial some of the things he said were because they still are today. In this case, his adversaries challenged him at nearly every word, even accusing him of being possessed by Satan, yet the crowds still came. This caused his own family to think that he had literally lost his mind (Mark 3:21) so they went to retrieve him.
Beloved, do members of your blood family think you have lost your mind because of your faith in Christ? Just as there were those who stood against Jesus and his teaching, there are those who stand against us for our adherence to it. Today, however, you are encouraged to take heart. Jesus famously said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you," John 15:18. In other words, we are in good company.
Further, this common love of our common Savior and our common performance of his word makes us a family whose bond is stronger than blood. Jesus triumphantly declared that all who believe are in fact, his family. And if we are his family, we are most assuredly children of the living God.
This is not to say that our blood families are to be disregarded. There are ample Scriptures that address the fact that we are to honor mother and father and love brothers and sisters. We are even to love our enemies. We are uniquely positioned to invite them into the family and have an obligation to do so. It is, however, of primary importance that we seek, obtain and maintain membership ourselves in the spiritual family. Let us earnestly desire to be counted among the Savior's brothers, sisters and mothers.
One,
Lee
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
In Praise of Marriage 12/12/2012
"Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Matt 19:4-7
It was the Pharisees, in one of their many attempts to test Jesus, that put forth the question, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all (v. 3)?" That same question is still being asked today. Even more tragically, the question is rarely asked any more. The papers are just drafted and that at about a 50% rate.
Beloved, this is not to criticize anyone who has ever gotten a divorce. This is to remind us of why God instituted marriage in the first place. The family, beginning with a man and a woman, is the foundation of every relationship. He established this as one of His first acts of creation. In Gen 9:7, God told Noah and his family, "As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it." Even Christ compared the relationship between a husband and wife with that of his relationship with the church. There is great value in family and great strength to be derived from it.
I must admit to you, faithful reader, that there is a reason this subject is on my mind today. If you will forgive the indulgence, o
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Belonging-6/14/2012
"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are." 1 John 3:1a
We as human beings have an innate desire to belong. It is a built in instinct for men to seek women and women to seek men and together build a family. We also desire friends with whom we can share and interact. At work, we build relationships with co-workers with whom we accomplish goals and develop social networks. Even in our leisure activities, we wear the colors of the local or favorite team, join fraternities and sororities and various other clubs and organizations. Our identity is inextricably intertwined with those with whom we have relationships and the things for which we stand.
For the Christian beloved, our identity is given to us by the love of God. He answers every single need we have to belong. It is He that made man and woman to belong to each other while belonging to Him. It is He that created the partnership of work as seen in giving Adam responsibilities and Eve a role in helping. It is at God's direction that we are fruitful and multiply. And it is He who told us to love others as we love ourselves. Even our "organizational" need to belong is fulfilled in the Lord in that "God added to the church daily such as should be saved" Acts 2:47 (KJV).
At the root of all of this is the individual relationship we have with our Creator, our Father, our Abba (Dad). He loved us before we knew to love Him. And He did something that we could not do ourselves; He made us His own and He made us a family. There is no greater belonging than belonging to God.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
We as human beings have an innate desire to belong. It is a built in instinct for men to seek women and women to seek men and together build a family. We also desire friends with whom we can share and interact. At work, we build relationships with co-workers with whom we accomplish goals and develop social networks. Even in our leisure activities, we wear the colors of the local or favorite team, join fraternities and sororities and various other clubs and organizations. Our identity is inextricably intertwined with those with whom we have relationships and the things for which we stand.
For the Christian beloved, our identity is given to us by the love of God. He answers every single need we have to belong. It is He that made man and woman to belong to each other while belonging to Him. It is He that created the partnership of work as seen in giving Adam responsibilities and Eve a role in helping. It is at God's direction that we are fruitful and multiply. And it is He who told us to love others as we love ourselves. Even our "organizational" need to belong is fulfilled in the Lord in that "God added to the church daily such as should be saved" Acts 2:47 (KJV).
At the root of all of this is the individual relationship we have with our Creator, our Father, our Abba (Dad). He loved us before we knew to love Him. And He did something that we could not do ourselves; He made us His own and He made us a family. There is no greater belonging than belonging to God.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Whose Are You?-2/22/2012
"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory." Eph 1:13-14
Beloved, as parents, we know that there is a difference between those that are our children and those who are not. One of the first identifiable characteristics is the family resemblance. When a child is brought into our family, comparisons immediately ensue regarding who the baby looks like more, the father or the mother. Even in the case of children who may be adopted, the family name is given and the difference between them and those who have not been brought into the family becomes an identification by association.
As children of God, we have been likewise marked (sealed, identified). This is accomplished by and through the Holy Spirit. Though it is not based on visual cues, as is similarly the case with those who have been brought in, it is nevertheless the truest indicator of our son-ship and daughter-ship. We have been set apart and a difference has been made between us and those who are not His.
As with our own children, there are both privileges accorded and expectations imparted. We must therefore walk worthy of our calling, exemplifying our Father and His family values in all that we do. He has already promised us an inheritance. The Holy Spirit is His guarantee.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Beloved, as parents, we know that there is a difference between those that are our children and those who are not. One of the first identifiable characteristics is the family resemblance. When a child is brought into our family, comparisons immediately ensue regarding who the baby looks like more, the father or the mother. Even in the case of children who may be adopted, the family name is given and the difference between them and those who have not been brought into the family becomes an identification by association.
As children of God, we have been likewise marked (sealed, identified). This is accomplished by and through the Holy Spirit. Though it is not based on visual cues, as is similarly the case with those who have been brought in, it is nevertheless the truest indicator of our son-ship and daughter-ship. We have been set apart and a difference has been made between us and those who are not His.
As with our own children, there are both privileges accorded and expectations imparted. We must therefore walk worthy of our calling, exemplifying our Father and His family values in all that we do. He has already promised us an inheritance. The Holy Spirit is His guarantee.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Loving Response-1/13/2012
"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31
"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Gal 6:2
Beloved, I would like to personally thank you for your outpouring of love resulting from last Friday's devotional. Whether you offered good thoughts, prayers, or financial assistance to a Christian brother whose identity you did not at that time know, it was surely a Christian response. You are to be commended for your expression.
And to my revealed brother, thank you for your heart of selflessness. Even in the midst of your valley, your thoughts are of others. In the face of their outpouring, you exemplified Gal 6:5, "For each man shall bear his own burden."
God never meant for us to get through this life alone. To be certain, it is only He that has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." That said, He has called us together into one body, in which we all contribute to and benefit from the gifts and efforts of others. We are a family and family takes care of family. Let us remember the latter of the two greatest commandments: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt 22:39
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Gal 6:2
Beloved, I would like to personally thank you for your outpouring of love resulting from last Friday's devotional. Whether you offered good thoughts, prayers, or financial assistance to a Christian brother whose identity you did not at that time know, it was surely a Christian response. You are to be commended for your expression.
And to my revealed brother, thank you for your heart of selflessness. Even in the midst of your valley, your thoughts are of others. In the face of their outpouring, you exemplified Gal 6:5, "For each man shall bear his own burden."
God never meant for us to get through this life alone. To be certain, it is only He that has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." That said, He has called us together into one body, in which we all contribute to and benefit from the gifts and efforts of others. We are a family and family takes care of family. Let us remember the latter of the two greatest commandments: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt 22:39
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Thursday, September 8, 2011
One With Another-9/8/2011
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Rom 12:15
As a Christian body, we are part of one another. We are affected and afflicted by those things which affect and afflict others in the body. As a Christian family, we are to sympathize with our brothers and sisters in the Lord, sharing in their emotions under the best and worst circumstances. After all of the calamities that Job endured, his close friends sat with him and wept with him. Likewise, at the return of the prodigal son, his friends and family celebrated,
Beloved, sharing a common eternity begins with sharing a common Father and a common Savior, then a common life. The New Testament is replete with advisements of how we are to encourage, support, edify and bear each other's burdens. We are to be kind, to be at peace and to love one another fervently. It is only through developing strong spiritual and familial bonds that these things are possible. The fact is, we need each other to gain heaven. How can we love the Father whom we have not seen and not love His other children, our brothers and sisters whom we have?
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
As a Christian body, we are part of one another. We are affected and afflicted by those things which affect and afflict others in the body. As a Christian family, we are to sympathize with our brothers and sisters in the Lord, sharing in their emotions under the best and worst circumstances. After all of the calamities that Job endured, his close friends sat with him and wept with him. Likewise, at the return of the prodigal son, his friends and family celebrated,
Beloved, sharing a common eternity begins with sharing a common Father and a common Savior, then a common life. The New Testament is replete with advisements of how we are to encourage, support, edify and bear each other's burdens. We are to be kind, to be at peace and to love one another fervently. It is only through developing strong spiritual and familial bonds that these things are possible. The fact is, we need each other to gain heaven. How can we love the Father whom we have not seen and not love His other children, our brothers and sisters whom we have?
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Unpopularity of the Faith (Part III)-7/15/2011
"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up." Deut 6:6-7
There are unfortunately many times when the unpopularity of the faith finds its most significant expression among our own children. As we teach our kids everything they know about life, from their first steps and words, to avoiding electrical sockets and hot irons to looking both ways when the cross the street, to how to deal with heartbreak, we spend a significant part of our lives preparing them to live theirs. Naturally when we attend worship, we bring them along, send them to their classes, take them to vacation bible school and work side by side with them on church work days or visiting the sick.
Somewhere along the way, however, the world intrudes into this idyllic existence. They discover that there are people out there that are their age that do not necessarily share the same beliefs with which they were raised. They discover that there is music out there that attracts them despite their questionable lyrics. There is alcohol, cigarettes, coarse language, drugs, sex and homosexuality. And because their friends and what those friends think is cool becomes more and more important in their lives, an erosion of everything we have tried to teach them about God and righteousness begins to erode. It is then when the kids begin to question the existence of God, not because He is not real, but because in their minds, He stands against everything that has become increasingly important to them.
Beloved, many parents are experiencing these very things every day. Some even try home schooling in order to limit outside influences but have found that Satan is pervasive, persistent and patient. There are three things we must remember. First, give your children the best biblical and spiritual foundation possible. Ensure that they develop their own relationship with God and that He is much or more a part of their reality as your love for them. From this they will never depart. Second, guard them as much as you can. Watch TV, listen to music, read books and pursue other entertainment and activities with them while teaching them what is acceptable and good and what is not. Third, understand that the world will break in. Just remember your own youth and the first time you tried ________. It is absolutely inevitable. And lastly, stay with your child through their mistakes and experimentation. The purpose is not to approve what they do, but to love them. Constantly encourage them toward the faith and constantly remind them of the spiritual and biblical lessons with which they were raised. Remind them that God is and that He loves them and that you do to.
Heartbreak is an unavoidable hazard of parenting, but we can mitigate the loss of our children to Satan by following these steps. Certainly others involve seeking the counsel of your trusted clergyman, fellowshipping with other parents and families and always, always, always seeking the Lord in prayer. Our children are truly under attack. Let us protect them with the same vigor that we always have against all threats. God will help.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
There are unfortunately many times when the unpopularity of the faith finds its most significant expression among our own children. As we teach our kids everything they know about life, from their first steps and words, to avoiding electrical sockets and hot irons to looking both ways when the cross the street, to how to deal with heartbreak, we spend a significant part of our lives preparing them to live theirs. Naturally when we attend worship, we bring them along, send them to their classes, take them to vacation bible school and work side by side with them on church work days or visiting the sick.
Somewhere along the way, however, the world intrudes into this idyllic existence. They discover that there are people out there that are their age that do not necessarily share the same beliefs with which they were raised. They discover that there is music out there that attracts them despite their questionable lyrics. There is alcohol, cigarettes, coarse language, drugs, sex and homosexuality. And because their friends and what those friends think is cool becomes more and more important in their lives, an erosion of everything we have tried to teach them about God and righteousness begins to erode. It is then when the kids begin to question the existence of God, not because He is not real, but because in their minds, He stands against everything that has become increasingly important to them.
Beloved, many parents are experiencing these very things every day. Some even try home schooling in order to limit outside influences but have found that Satan is pervasive, persistent and patient. There are three things we must remember. First, give your children the best biblical and spiritual foundation possible. Ensure that they develop their own relationship with God and that He is much or more a part of their reality as your love for them. From this they will never depart. Second, guard them as much as you can. Watch TV, listen to music, read books and pursue other entertainment and activities with them while teaching them what is acceptable and good and what is not. Third, understand that the world will break in. Just remember your own youth and the first time you tried ________. It is absolutely inevitable. And lastly, stay with your child through their mistakes and experimentation. The purpose is not to approve what they do, but to love them. Constantly encourage them toward the faith and constantly remind them of the spiritual and biblical lessons with which they were raised. Remind them that God is and that He loves them and that you do to.
Heartbreak is an unavoidable hazard of parenting, but we can mitigate the loss of our children to Satan by following these steps. Certainly others involve seeking the counsel of your trusted clergyman, fellowshipping with other parents and families and always, always, always seeking the Lord in prayer. Our children are truly under attack. Let us protect them with the same vigor that we always have against all threats. God will help.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Unpopularity of The Faith (Part I)-7/13/2011
"'Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?' And they took offense at Him." Mark 6:3
No sooner than you turn to God and begin living a life according to His calling will you notice not everyone shares your new found faith nor is overjoyed at your conversion. Initial reactions can go from "Great!" to "Hmmm." Over time this can migrate to everything from ambivalence to hostility. Why? It is because there is a difference between those who serve the Lord and those who do not. 1 Pet 2:9 refers to Christians as a peculiar people. This means that we are a purchased possession of God and have obtained His grace and mercy. Others do not understand this because it is not a part of their lives. Jesus said that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not comprehend it. It is not unusual for people to become hostile toward that which they do not understand.
Beloved, if you find yourself at odds with your friends and family over your faith, do not think it strange. Those who knew Jesus, knew his family and watched him grow up had no love for him once his ministry began. He said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, and among his own relatives and in his own house" Mark 6:4.
Do not be discouraged when those close to you do not support your faith. Be encouraged that you are both in excellent company and a member of the ultimate family with Almighty God at its head. Rejoice also at the fact that your first opportunity to add to that great family is close at hand. What a blessing it is to lead friends and loved ones to salvation. God would have all to be saved, even those who do not initially share your faith. Though your efforts will not always be successful, know that God knows your efforts and will reward them.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
No sooner than you turn to God and begin living a life according to His calling will you notice not everyone shares your new found faith nor is overjoyed at your conversion. Initial reactions can go from "Great!" to "Hmmm." Over time this can migrate to everything from ambivalence to hostility. Why? It is because there is a difference between those who serve the Lord and those who do not. 1 Pet 2:9 refers to Christians as a peculiar people. This means that we are a purchased possession of God and have obtained His grace and mercy. Others do not understand this because it is not a part of their lives. Jesus said that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not comprehend it. It is not unusual for people to become hostile toward that which they do not understand.
Beloved, if you find yourself at odds with your friends and family over your faith, do not think it strange. Those who knew Jesus, knew his family and watched him grow up had no love for him once his ministry began. He said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, and among his own relatives and in his own house" Mark 6:4.
Do not be discouraged when those close to you do not support your faith. Be encouraged that you are both in excellent company and a member of the ultimate family with Almighty God at its head. Rejoice also at the fact that your first opportunity to add to that great family is close at hand. What a blessing it is to lead friends and loved ones to salvation. God would have all to be saved, even those who do not initially share your faith. Though your efforts will not always be successful, know that God knows your efforts and will reward them.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Spirit of Adoption-5/25/2011
"For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, " Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ," Rom 8:15-17
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families reports that in fiscal year 2009, 114,562 children were waiting to be adopted in the United States. As you might guess, some of these children come from the most dire situations imaginable. All are in need of love, family, understanding and nurturing. For all intents and purposes, they need to be saved from their situations.
Their situation is analogous to ours outside of Christ. We are misguided and in need of things we cannot ourselves supply. We need someone to take us in, teach us right from wrong, good from bad and develop us into productive citizens of the kingdom.
I am pleased to say that many from our local congregation have followed God's great example and taken children in need into their homes and made them family. Wonderful organizations like Christian Family Services also exemplify God's great gift of benevolence and love through adoption services.
Beloved we who were once lost are now found. We who were once alone are members of God's family. As members, as children of the Almighty, as heirs, we have been given the right to call upon Him as "daddy" (Abba), the most intimate of addresses for our common Father. He cares for us and loves us so much. Let us rejoice in his kindness, even as those wonderful children do when they are made a part of an earthly family.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families reports that in fiscal year 2009, 114,562 children were waiting to be adopted in the United States. As you might guess, some of these children come from the most dire situations imaginable. All are in need of love, family, understanding and nurturing. For all intents and purposes, they need to be saved from their situations.
Their situation is analogous to ours outside of Christ. We are misguided and in need of things we cannot ourselves supply. We need someone to take us in, teach us right from wrong, good from bad and develop us into productive citizens of the kingdom.
I am pleased to say that many from our local congregation have followed God's great example and taken children in need into their homes and made them family. Wonderful organizations like Christian Family Services also exemplify God's great gift of benevolence and love through adoption services.
Beloved we who were once lost are now found. We who were once alone are members of God's family. As members, as children of the Almighty, as heirs, we have been given the right to call upon Him as "daddy" (Abba), the most intimate of addresses for our common Father. He cares for us and loves us so much. Let us rejoice in his kindness, even as those wonderful children do when they are made a part of an earthly family.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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