The Family of God
READ: Psalm 103:13
When I was in eighth grade, I had a paper route. Normally I would deliver the papers by myself with my wagon. But on rainy or very cold days my father would help me. We would both be soaked to the skin or else shivering. Either way we were miserable, but we got the job done.
Your parents feel miserable when you do. They'd rather suffer the pain for you when you are sick or sad. Mom and Dad would even give their life for you. That's how much they care about you.
God also has these feelings for you. But they are even stronger and purer. Your heavenly Father gave this dearest possession, his only Son, to die on the cross so your sins would be forgiven. You are God's adopted child. He gave His Son, Jesus, to die, so you can have life.
God wants us to see His great love for us, so we'll be willing to love each other the same way. "We aren't even related", we use as a reason for not helping or caring for someone. We, too, were not God's relatives when we came into the world. He made us, but we sinned and rebelled against Him and preferred to do what Satan wanted. But God's love for us was so great that He rescued us from Satan's power so we could be His children. Because God loved us who once were strangers, we also should be happy to help each other. He wants us to love each other like a caring father and mother. We read in Galatians 6:12, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Welcome to God's Family!
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: What have your parents done for you? What have you done for your parents? What has God done for you? Find someone today in school who can help to feel part of the family!
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: In your prayer, include a thank-you to God for being our heavenly Father and also pray that He will always keep you as His child. Pray by name for people you are concerned about.