How can we mere human beings ever hope that God the Father and Jesus Christ would share with us such incredible responsibility? Family is where you learn to laugh and where you are allowed to weep without losing respect. If God is opening your mind to the awesome potential for which He made you, then He is inviting you to be among the forerunners in His plan for mankind —to be His spiritual son or daughter now in anticipation of the full glory to be bestowed at the resurrection of the dead when Jesus Christ returns. no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brothers? Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Her example of generosity toward her family as well as to others sets a pattern for her children to follow in her footsteps. American King James Version×; Ezekiel 37:1-14 Ezekiel 37:1-14 [1] The hand of the LORD was on me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the middle of the valley which was full of bones, As the apostle John wrote: "In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother" (1 John 3:10 1 John 3:10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.American King James Version×). You were born to become one of God's divine children. They have all the same inward experience. Because, as Paul explains, "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Romans 8:14 Romans 8:14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.American King James Version×). This agricultural cycle and related events are commemorated in the annual festivals God gave to Israel—as a picture of progressive steps in His great plan of salvation. [14] But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. Every kingdom, power and government will be brought under His divine rule (Revelation 11:15 Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.American King James Version×). American King James Version×), which is His Church (Colossians 1:24 Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:American King James Version×). [27] And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. [18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Being resurrected into God's family as a very child of God, a part of God's own family, is so magnificent that it is futile to try to compare it to anything we have ever known. 1 Peter describes the church as God's family, and 1 Peter 4:7-11 provides 3 key defining characteristics of that family: Loving one another, showing hospitality to one another, and serving one another. Family is where you learn how to interpret your surroundings correctly. He never lives alone. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. To quote the words of the apostle Paul again, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9 1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.American King James Version×, NLT). Until we have been born again, we are not members of the family of God. . [6] And I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD. (Be sure to download or request your free copy of our booklet The Gospel of the Kingdom to better understand this central theme of both Christ's message and the entire Bible.). [24] And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. As pointed out above, God's converted people of this age, His saints, are the firstfruits of His spiritual harvest of mankind. [15] Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God. God intends to raise man from the human kingdom, over the angelic kingdom, to the God Kingdom—the Kingdom of God. "Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. This shared divine rule over the physical nations of the earth will have a tiered structure of administration. [25] (And they said to him, Lord, he has ten pounds.) No amount of trials, problems and suffering in this life could ever approach the priceless gift of eternal life as glorified children of God in the full likeness of the Father and Jesus Christ. [24] And he said to them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that has ten pounds. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. Dads, God has assigned this position to you! American King James Version×, REB). American King James Version×, NLT). Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2). 6) Universality: Family is the most universal of all the groups, associations and institutions in the human society. American King James Version×). ", Mention of David again brings us back to where we began, with his reflections in Psalms 8:3-4 Psalms 8:3-4 [3] When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; [19] And he said likewise to him, Be you also over five cities. This amazing future was earlier foretold in the Old Testament. HOME & FAMILY – Characteristics of a Strong Family 2 2. It is found in some form or the other, in all types of societies whether primitive or modern. Thus there will be perfect harmony among all those of God's family. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:50-52 1 Corinthians 15:50-52 [50] Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. . The truth is that we don't know all that we will experience when we at last dwell in resplendent glory with God and all repentant humanity in the age to come, as God has not revealed it and we probably would not be able to comprehend it with our finite minds. [8] No, you do wrong, and defraud, and that your brothers. We will have a permanent dwelling with God in the New Jerusalem, but we will not be confined there or to the earth—or even to this galaxy. "and am known of mine" (vv. How, then, may you receive God’s Spirit? Indeed, it is through the Spirit that we are begotten to spiritual life, as we earlier saw. and if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Perhaps the most outstanding feature of God’s character is that He is a loving Father to all believers (Ephesians 1:2; Galatians 1:1; Colossians 1:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:3). Never underestimate the value of your life. [12] Therefore prophesy and say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. . As Proverbs 29:2 Proverbs 29:2When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn.American King James Version×tells us, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice." To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. American King James Version×). Every member of the family of God becomes a child of his heavenly Father when he is born again. Through His wondrous plan, all of humanity will be given the opportunity to learn God's truth, come to repentance and receive salvation. June 14, 2019. For we will share Their infinite power and mind. They are those “which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. When the feminist demands, “Down with men!” The strong woman encourages, “Son, kneel down with God.” These- these strong woman characteristics- are goals for me. American King James Version×). [25] And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Again, the "saints of the Most High"—that is, those who are sanctified or set apart as holy, meaning all of God's true followers—will be kings and rulers with Jesus Christ. woe to you, Bethsaida! Who, then, are the children of God today? Some distinguishing trait of feature often marks the countenances of all the offspring. Paul clarifies the relationship of God's Spirit to salvation: "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit" (Romans 8:11 Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.American King James Version×). Characteristics of Family: 1. 1. [26] For I say to you, That to every one which has shall be given; and from him that has not, even that he has shall be taken away from him. The Holy Spirit is the power and presence of God working within them (see 2 Timothy 1:6 2 Timothy 1:6Why I put you in remembrance that you stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands.American King James Version×; Psalms 51:11 Psalms 51:11Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy spirit from me.American King James Version×; Philippians 2:13 Philippians 2:13For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.American King James Version×). The rule of Christ and His glorified followers will be vastly different from the rule this world has usually experienced. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brothers?American King James Version×)—but rather, as the following verses make clear, to human beings exalted in the family of God, with Jesus Christ as a forerunner in this inheritance (1 Corinthians 6:6-13 1 Corinthians 6:6-13 [6] But brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. (1 Corinthians 6:2-3 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 [2] Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? Family is where you learn how to share, how to relate, and how to treat other people. [4] What is man, that you are mindful of him? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.American King James Version×). When you love and serve God, your family will follow suit. was Paul crucified for you? WELCOME TO PRIME LIFE MINISTRIES Lifting Up The Name Of Jesus! They will be children befitting His family, children who will demonstrate to the remainder of mankind that obedience to God's law is the right way of life. 2. . Repentance, faith, hope, charity, humility, inward conflict, are things with which they are all more or less acquainted. why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? God's children, then, are those who are led by God through His Spirit. Still, every position will be filled with majesty and glory beyond imagining. [3] Know you not that we shall judge angels? And there will be further gradations under these and in the governance of other nations as well. 6 Characteristics of a Strong and Healthy Christian Family A Christian family is a basic unit in society or group of individuals who are serving and worshipping the Lord together — they know that they are nothing without God and they believed that the Lord is their Creator, Savior, Healer, Comforter, Provider and everything in their lives. And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, That you which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ), Then, as Revelation 21 reveals, there will be a new heaven and new earth—and the city of New Jerusalem will descend to the earth from heaven as the capital of the universe and the eternal dwelling of God. This future is so transcendent in its magnitude and meaning that it is impossible to really get our minds around it! God's plan is all-encompassing. [10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. American King James Version×). God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son are now creating Their family model through human beings who desire to honor Them. For instance, we are told that King David will again serve as ruler over all Israel while the 12 apostles of Christ will be given rule over the 12 individual tribes of Israel (Jeremiah 30:9 Jeremiah 30:9But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.American King James Version×; Ezekiel 37:24-25 Ezekiel 37:24-25 [24] And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. May God grant you a heart willing to surrender your life to Him so that you may receive His incomparable gift! [2] And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, see, they were very dry. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven . God, by His nature, is wholly good (Mark 10:18; 1 Timothy 4:4). Sometimes, I am busy serving others, and look down of those who only serve themselves. Why do you not rather take wrong? [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for ever more. A family is based on marriage, which results in a mating relationship between two adults of opposite sex. The whole world will rejoice under the righteous rule of the family of God! What more could anyone possibly wish for? 1 Peter describes the church as God's family, and 1 Peter 4:7-11 provides 3 key defining characteristics of that family: Loving one another, showing hospitality to … [12] No man has seen God at any time. [3] And he said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? His strength abounds in His characteristics. An effective team works together best with a clearly identified leader. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 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