[Gabe]

Hey everyone, this is Gabe again from Deltona Aluminum.  I hope that the last few video devotionals have been an encouragement to you as they have been to me.  If you’re new to these videos, right now we’re intentionally taking the time to go through six different aspects–Awakening, Journey, Work, Family, Reflection, and Rest–to help us realign our focus on God as we seek to bless Him and to bless others. 

Today, we’ll be talking about “Family.” So I thought it would be fitting to have my lovely bride join us for this video.

[Jordyn:]

Thank you for having me.

Family…When you hear this word, more than likely you think of your own flesh-and-blood family.  But today, as we align our perspectives, I want us to think about the family who we are part of as followers of Jesus.  A family whose blood runs thicker with the blood of Jesus than that of family heritage.

[Gabe]

In First John 3, we read this: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

The scriptures tell us, plainly, that those who are followers of Jesus are part of a NEW family.  A family that is made up of all different kinds of people with different ethnicities, backgrounds, social statuses, languages, and giftings.  

This “new family” who we are part of represents the Kingdom of God, even as Jesus said to his disciples, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

[Jordyn]

But why is this important to remember?

Even right now, there’s a good chance that you are watching this video on social media.  If there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that platforms like social media have provided a theater to watch people tear each other apart and be both divisive and hurtful to each other–even the other people are friends and families.  And I believe that what has saddened our heavenly Father is how we have even treated each other, unlovingly, within the family of God.

When we begin to look at each other in the same way that God looks at us, we will begin to act differently.  If we understand that the person who we might disagree with is our brother or sister; that Jesus gave His life for THEM in the same way that he did for US, our hearts should be softened and we change from being instruments of wrath to becoming instruments of peace. 

[Gabe]

So as you are on break at work; as you are possibly transitioning to the later part of the day; as you log onto your social media – let us remember that we are part of a new family who has been brought together to bless God, bless each other, and bless the world around us.  

Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us…

[Jordyn]

Grace and peace.