God's Family

But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15

Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.
Proverbs 7:12

So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family*--calling him "Father, dear Father."
Romans 8:15

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.
Ephesians 2:19

Never forget that Jesus Christ was a man born into King David's family and that he was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.
2 Timothy 2:8

Those who have been born into God's family do not sin, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they have been born of God.
1 John 3:9

We know that those who have become part of God's family do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.
1 John 5:18

Joshua made the bold statement that he and his family would serve the LORD.
Proverbs said to add insight to our family. If we and our families are truly serving God, the world should be able to see good character in our family.

In the beginning, the Jews were God's chosen people, His Family. Thank goodness it was God's plan to add us, the Gentiles, to His family as well! Because Jesus lived, died, and rose from the grave, we are allowed to share in His promises.

I can still remember the day I became a member of God's Family. I remember studying my Bible, and understanding that I really wasn't sure I was saved. The more I read, the more I was convinced that I needed to take some action. God's word showed me exactly what to do.

I have this scripture memorized:
Peter's words convicted them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles-all who have been called by the Lord our God."
Acts 2:37-39

This is what Peter told the crowd at Pentecost. If it was the answer for them, it is the answer for me. So, I was baptized. Then I KNEW I was a member of God's family!

God has continued to bless me for making that choice.