It has been said that, “If it wasn’t for people and things, life would be easy.”   Well, no doubt people (including myself) can be challenging sometimes, and things can get in the way.   But life is really all about people and relationships.  “God intended for us to love people and use things, not love things and use people.”   People are eternal, not things.   People were always the focus and the passion of Christ.  Jesus loved people unconditionally.   His greatest desire is that all people would be part of His family - the family of God.   No one loves you like Jesus.  With Jesus there are no strings attached.  He doesn’t look at color, race, social status, material wealth, vocation, education or popularity.  Jesus doesn’t look at your failures or success.  Jesus doesn’t look at you with the attitude, “what can you do for me?”   Jesus simply looks at YOU.  The you that only you know, and He loves you anyway and wants you to be a part of His family.  His eternal, everlasting family - the family of God.   All of us have the need to belong and to be loved.  There is nothing compared to belonging to Christ and His family.  There is no greater love than the love of Christ.   “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God - I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!  Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I’m part of the family, the family of God.   From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King - No longer an outcast, a new song I sing; from rages unto riches, from the weak to the strong; I’m not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong!” - Gloria and William Gaither

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

(cf. John 1: 12-13)

Noel Worley went to be with Jesus this week.  He will be missed, but I’m so glad he was part of the family of God because that means I will see him again.   Noel said he was prepared for death but not ready.  His preparation was due to his relationship with Christ, his lack of readiness was due to those he loved that he was leaving behind.  The hope and the promise of the gospel is that we will all be reunited someday, if we are born again, part of God’s eternal family. 

In His Service,

Pastor Rodney