"Welcome To The Family"

Acts 4:12

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9

Here is the second,

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 10:10

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” Acts 1:8

You are adopted into God’s Family when we believe and share that belief. That is one of the reasons for Church Membership. We help each other in both these areas. Also, as a member of the Heavenly Family, you have a job; a duty; a calling. The Bible says,

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” Ephesians 4:7

“There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” 1 Corinthians 12:5-6

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:6

Another reason for Church Membership is to help with our Heavenly Membership in serving. Just like in an earthly family, each has a role; each has a job to do in the family. That is unless you are too immature to be responsible. But to all who are capable and responsible they have a job to do. Jesus said a Day of Reckoning is coming. On that Day He will says,

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did (or did NOT do) for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:40

You know, being a part of a family has its benefits. For ten years or so my cousin bought me and many family members airplane tickets to fly home each year. Sometimes another family member would let me use one of their vehicles to run around in. Each family has it benefits and rewards.

The rewards are humongous in God’s family. If you do well and carry out your responsibilities and duties the rewards are greater than you can imagine – and then there is eternal life with our Loving Father. One day each member will hear, “Well done, good and Faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

I want to encourage you if you are a Member of the Heavenly Family to keep on; keep doing well. Don’t get tired. At the right time you will reap a great reward – both in this life and in the life to come.

If you aren’t a member – now is the time to join. You can be adopted today. You just have to believe and receive Jesus as your Savior. You have to believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) and you have to be willing to share your faith. If you agree to those conditions you become a member by praying a prayer like this.

“Dear Jesus,

Thank you for loving me. Thank you for providing a way that I may be forgiven and saved. Thank you for preparing a place for me in heaven.

Please forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from all wrongdoing. I vow to follow you and obey you from this time on, as You help me. Give me boldness and courage to be Your witness. Thank you for adopting me into Your family and providing a place for me.