Giving Of Thanks: DAY 4

     Tonight, I'm thankful for the family of God.  Oh, how many members there are in this group!  Each and every one that I've gotten to know, personally, hold a special place in my heart.  And those I have yet to know?  I look forward to that day in which I do!

     I remember on the night I got saved, how incredibly excited I was to finally be put into God's family.  I finally belonged.

     I had my "forever family." I would, one day, see loved ones who had trusted in Christ for their salvation, and had passed on before me.  I would get to meet many Bible "heroes."  Most of all, I'd be safe in the arms of Jesus, forever.

     Since that night, I've always been so excited to meet more folks who have the same Father as me.  There's an instant bond:  we have the same bloodline.  Praise God!

     Even though there are times, here on earth, when we don't always get along, (for one reason or another), I take comfort in this:  they can't get rid of me!  Once we're in God's family, we're sealed, eternally!  So, even though I can wish and pray that things were always going well between us brothers and sisters in Christ, or that they'd always like me (and, vice versa) I know that it doesn't always happen.  Yet, when Christ comes for us, it will!  We'll finally be a forever-happy, eternally-loving, family! 

     So, if you're reading this thanksgiving tonight, and you are born again by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, too, then know this:  I love you, and am so grateful you're my family!  There's a joy unexplainable; yet, I know that those who know Christ, know what I'm saying.

     Thank You, Heavenly Father:  for adopting me, and putting me in the best family, ever!

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34-35

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."
1 John 4:7-21