Scripture Reading…Colossians 3:12-15
Devotion
In all the world, what a blessing to be a part of a family that will be family in eternity as well. The Scriptures teach that “marriage ends in physical death” Romans 7:2-3. Yet, if our physical family is also our family in Christ, we will go on into eternity together at least as the closest of friends! What a life we are blessed to live, hand in hand with fellow heirs of eternal salvation in Christ! If our parents are believers, then they are our spiritual brother and sister! If our children are believers, they in turn are our spiritual brothers and sisters! Together we get to live out our days in service to God and to one another with the confidence that comes from knowing Jesus as Lord!
When we think of our families as spiritual beings who will live forever, it helps us to be patient, kind & loving. The truth of eternal life brings everyday frustrations into perspective. The eyes you look into at home; will one day look into the eyes of Jesus! His peace can create in us and in our homes a type of “heaven on Earth” as we treat each other as we should. It’s too easy sometimes, to read scriptures like our reading today and think of those outside our homes. But let’s make sure we apply this scripture to those who we live with also!
As God’s chosen ones, set apart from the disaster of worldly living, live a life of love, it’s what God wants for you and your family! Adorn your life with compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline. Be steady and content because you have knowledge of eternity! Forgive one another quickly, and praise God for giving you to one another as precious family both here and now, and in eternity! Your joy will overflow as you lift one another up in godly service and encouragement!
CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY
Walk at least one mile today.
Respond to the online community.
Dinner at the table with as much as of the family as possible…you can do it!!!
It is sometime a very difficult thing to forgive someone who has hurt you or wronged you in some way, even if they haven't asked for your forgiveness. Jesus is the perfect example of this when he asked God to forgive those who had nailed him to the cross as they, with total disregard for his pain and suffering, divided his only belongings, his clothing. (Luke 23:34)
this extends beyond our physical family in earth; and reaches to our church family as well. Including the people that we butt heads with.
often we look at The verse of ‘as iron sharpens iron…’ as a relationship between two friends that push each other to be better, but sometimes its that person that forced you to come to grips with things that you weren’t wanting to face or challenges that you didn’t want to consider
I love the statement our jokes should be a type of heaven on earth. Our home should be our safe place and our home base. We can only achieve that home environment if we love like Jesus. Like April said seek peace.
I love the idea of adorning my life with forgiveness, mercy and love!!! Easier said than done but a worthy challenge
Think about words that are opposite of harmony- confusion, tension, disconnectedness, disjointedness, irregularity, discordance, disunity, imbalance, violence, opposition, conflict, hostility, disagreement, contention. Words that are so heavy and burdensome. Seek PEACE! Verse 15- Love binds us together in perfect harmony.