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POINT TO PONDER:I was formed for God's family.
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| REFLECT: How did today's reading impact you? |
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You and I were formed for God's family. God wants a familyt, and He created you
to be a part of it. The entire Bible is a love story- a journal of God's building a family
who will love Him, honor Him, and reign with Him forever.
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"His 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 - New Living Translation)
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I am not an expert on many things, but I do have experience in adoption. And I can relate my experiences in planning, saving,
sacrificing, going after and returning with each of our children... "Great pleasure" is an understatement! We celebrate the
adoptions with a "gotcha day" each year, to remember/reflect and also as another excuse for my kids to have a party.
Every human being was created by God, but not everyone is a child of God. The only way to get into God's family is by being
born again into it. The invitation to be part of God's family is universal, but there is one condition: faith in Jesus.
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"You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus."
(Galatians 3:26 - New Living Translation)
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When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our Father, we become His children, other believers become our brothers and
sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family. And I believe there is a huge "gotcha day" party in heaven! Angels
rejoicing over another individual who understands and responds to God's love. On page 119, there are listed some amazing
"gotcha day"/birthday gifts: the family name, the family likeness, family privileges, family intimate access, and the
family inheritance. For further encouragement, why not check out those verses listed in the back about His great goodness!
There is no higher honor or privilege than being part of God's family. Why not pause and thank God that He included me!
Rick Warren also mentions baptism as a visible reminder of an inward commitment made in your heart. If you'd like more information
on baptism, see your home group leader, or call the church office, or email back to info@cbfchurch.org. We'd love to discuss
it further.
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PRAYER:
"Gracious Father, Thank You so much for choosing me and making me part of Your family. Remind me today of my "gotcha day",
of the joy in knowing You, and the great family that supports me as we travel on this journey together. Amen |
FOR MY CONSIDERATION:
Reflect back on my spiritual "gotcha day", when I responded to God's love and received His great gift of love. What are some
ways God has confirmed His love to me? |
This week's Memory verse:
"... so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member
belongs to all the others." Romans 12:15 (NIV) |
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