God's Family, the Church
By Elvira Bujanda
God has given us life and set us in His own family, called by His name.
Ephesians 3:14 says: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ.”
The love of our big Brother, Jesus, is only something we can grasp as we find love in our church family together with all the saints. All believers in God are His family since we have one Father, Creator of everything.
To associate with fellow Christians in His church will encourage your spiritual growth.
He promises His love and power to His family, the church.
We are one body, and Christ is our head. He has placed us in His body as He sees fit, the Bible says.
It’s not just a coincidence that you have been brought into this particular body of believers. Your church family is God’s design to help you discover His love and the fullness of Himself (Ephesians 3:19): “And to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
In your daily activities it’s important that you keep your eyes and ears open, and especially your heart, seeking God’s will among your brothers in Christ. Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Maybe you haven’t found the family of God yet. Maybe you find yourself wandering aimlessly, unclear about your purpose on earth, struggling against God in an effort to find success and happiness through your own means and not His.
It’s the most important decision you’ll ever make in your life to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. To put Him in charge of all you are and all you do.
Psalm 16:11 says, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in Your presence; with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”
Struggling against God’s will and His plan for your life brings suffering. When we align ourselves with God’s purposes He becomes our source of pleasure, courage and strength.
He avails us of His power and His peace.
Proverbs 16:11 says, “In His heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
God has a plan for your life; however He won’t force these plans upon you. He has given you free will that you may make a decision on your own.
If you seek God’s plan sincerely and prayerfully you will find it. It’s when we discover God’s purpose for our lives that we experience abundant peace, joy and God’s power.
He will make Himself known to you in His own way as you seek Him.
The Bible tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).