Welcome to the God’s Family

Being part of a family—a real, loving family—is one of the most transformative experiences we can have. But not everyone starts off in a perfect family. Some of us come from rough beginnings, and the thought of being accepted, loved, and grafted into a healthy family feels like an impossible dream. Yet, this is exactly what God offers each of us when He welcomes us into His family.

Psalm 68:4-6: God’s Heart for Family

The Bible paints a vivid picture of God’s role as a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows. Psalm 68:4-6 declares,
“Sing to the Lord, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before Him—His name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoner with singing, but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”

This passage reminds us that God’s goal is more than saving souls; He wants to bring us into a family—a place of belonging, love, and support.

The Transformative Power of God’s Family

Many of us come from families that were broken or dysfunctional. Amanda’s story illustrates this well. Growing up in a household trapped by addiction, loneliness, and a lack of safety, she found herself isolated. But when God entered the picture, everything changed.

Her family underwent a miraculous turnaround, leaving behind a life steeped in drugs and alcohol. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but through faith and consistency, God began to rebuild their lives. He gave them a new community, a loving church family, and most importantly, a purpose.

“God doesn’t call us into His family to be a distant relative. He calls us as sons and daughters, heirs to His kingdom.”

Spiritual Lessons from Earthly Families

Amanda’s journey of being accepted into her husband’s healthy, loving family was eye-opening. At first, she found it difficult to trust their love, questioning whether it was real. A defining moment came when, during her wedding, her mother-in-law pulled her into a family photo and declared, “She is one of us.”

Looking back, Amanda realized this kind of unconditional acceptance in her husband’s family mirrored God’s unconditional love for His children. When God brings us into His family, we’re not outsiders. We are fully grafted into the family of God, given the right to cry out, “Abba, Father.”

What Makes a Healthy Family?

From Amanda’s story, we can see key traits that define both healthy earthly families and God’s family. Over her 13 years of marriage, she observed three distinct characteristics of a thriving family:

Selfless in Service

Selflessness is at the heart of a healthy family. Amanda shared a powerful example from John 13, where Jesus kneels to wash His disciples’ feet. This act of humility even extended to Judas, the one who would betray Him.

If Jesus, the King of the universe, could serve in such humility, then surely we can serve one another. Amanda shared how her father-in-law, despite being allergic to everything—including dogs—selflessly helped her deep-clean her house before hosting guests. Acts of service, big or small, reflect the love of Christ in practical ways.

Want to learn more about serving others? Explore how the Bible teaches us to embrace selfless discipleship.

Healthy in Communication

Words have the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21 warns us about the weight our speech carries. Amanda recounted her teenage struggle to control her tongue, using Scriptures like Psalms 19:14 to teach herself to speak words that are “pleasing and acceptable to the Lord.”

Healthy communication isn’t just about avoiding gossip or insults. It’s about building each other up. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us to speak words that “minister grace to the hearers.” Amanda shared how her mother-in-law shut down a potential gossip session with grace, setting an example of healthy boundaries in communication.

Discover how to foster grace-filled relationships through spiritual encouragement.

Consistent in Encouragement

Encouragement is the glue that holds families together. Amanda’s mother became her biggest encourager after finding faith, cheering her on through every milestone, from graduating high school to delivering her first sermon.

What makes encouragement so important is its power to lift others even in the darkest times. Hebrews 3:13 calls us to “encourage one another daily,” and Amanda’s life is a testament to how consistent encouragement can inspire faith and perseverance.

Preparing for Revival: Is Our Spiritual Family Ready?

As believers, we often pray for revival. But are we ready for it? Amanda posed a challenging question: Is our church family healthy enough to welcome new believers? If God is going to trust us with His precious children, we need to prepare ourselves.

1 Peter 4:17 says, “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household.” Before Revival comes, there must be repentance. We must ask ourselves: Are we fit to receive spiritually lost people?

Revival isn’t just about filling seats; it’s about creating a safe, loving environment for new believers. This means being selfless in service, intentional in communication, and consistent in encouragement. If we aren’t reflecting Christ in our actions, why would God send revival to us?

Practical Steps to Build a Healthy Family

God has called each of us to examine our hearts and make changes that reflect His love. Here’s a simple roadmap for building a spiritually healthy family:

• Examine Yourself: Ask God to reveal areas where you fall short in serving, speaking, or encouraging others.
• Repent and Reset: Don’t dwell on past mistakes. Pray for forgiveness and intentionally change your actions.
• Serve Selflessly: Look for opportunities to help others in practical ways. Small acts can make a big impact.
• Speak Life: Commit to speaking words that build up rather than tear down. Avoid gossip at all costs.
• Encourage Daily: Make it a point to uplift someone every day, even if you’re going through tough times.

Conclusion

God’s family is the ultimate example of love, acceptance, and transformation. When we say “welcome to the family,” it’s not just lip service—it’s a call to action. Are we ready to embrace others as God has embraced us? Are we building a spiritual home that reflects His heart?

Let’s commit to being a church family that’s ready for revival. Let’s embody selfless service, healthy communication, and consistent encouragement. Together, we can create a welcoming environment for new believers, showing them the love of Christ in action.

The time for change is now. Begin by examining your own heart. Let God do the work He desires in you, so that together, we can prepare for the revival we’ve been praying for.

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