Part of a family...

Hello people
Thought I'd let you know my sore throat is better which is cool. I did get a cough afterwards but now that is gone as well. So Thanks to God for making me better so soon.

I am excited at the moment. The reason being that about a week ago, I saw one of my managers from work (I work at McDonalds Friday nights and part of Saturday) wearing this hoodie - which said something about Christian Unions on it. That would be really cool because if she is a CHRISTian then I will have someone to talk and relate to at work. That is such a cool thing for me.

I haven't asked her yet about it - but it would be so so cool if she is. It's just the idea of having someone else from God's family in the same workplace, that I can hang with. It reminds me of just how good fellowship is.
When I became a Christian, I became part of a family as well. God's family is so different from any other club or family like structure.

There's something so special and right about being able to sit down with people and pray for them and encourage them in their walk with God... and also when they reflect the same to you by praying with you and helping you see the bright side when things are down.
This is what being part of church is like - and it is beautiful.
There's something so right about a family where people bear eachothers' hurts and yet share eachothers' happiness.
Where Jesus shines through relationships.
Where people are forgivings and understanding towards eachother.
Where people are patient with ach other and help teach eachother.
Where you can cry together when it hurts, and laugh together when things are good.

This type of family is so beautiful and so special - we should do everything we can to preserve it. Not only that but to keep building eachother up and encouraging eachother so that we all "reach unity in the faith" (as Paul [i think] put it).

I love church so much because of being able to be with people there. I love this blogworld as well because of everyone I can talk to and share with.
I think God shines through His church, as His people love and care for eachother. It's an amazing witness to the world.
Jesus' words hang with me here

John 13:35 (New International Version)
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

There are so many times when I have felt discouraged and down, but it is through people belonging to God - those you are His children - that I have received encouragement and patience.
It's very easy on your own to get discourgaed by a whole host of things... not least our own sin which is so painful to have. I long to be perfect like my Saviour, but I am not there yet. When I sin I feel like I'm walking away from Jesus, the one who showed such kindness to me.
For that reson my sin is disgusting to me and I hate it.
But isn't it easy to hate yourself as well because of your imperfections and loose sight of the fact that God's love runs deep enough to overcome them.

Maybe you are in a horrible place where you can find it hard to trust that God's forgiveness is there for you, and that He really does love you. But remember that noone on earth is perfectly righteous and blameless before God on their own.
You may think that although everyone is under sin - some people deserve salvation more than others, because their sin is less than yours.
You might think that God is willing to forgive other people but not you.
To a person feeling like that, remember that Jesus is the one who said these words:

Mark 2:17 (New International Version)
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

If you feel sick and weak because of your sin then Jesus is the very person who comes to heal you with forgiveness. It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Jesus had compassion for the people who knew that they were lost in sin. Those who wanted to be cleansed believed Jesus and He cleansed them.

God encourages me so much through his family
People who remind me of truth of how God genuinely does care for me.
When people encourage me and care about how I am feeling.
When people pray with me and for me.
When people are patient with me as I struggle
When people bring prophetic words of encouragement, showing that God knows where I am and cares about how I am feeling.

This is deep love and brings me back to a place where I know God's grace and love towards myself - because it has been revealed to me through the body of Christ. In helping me know Christ more I realise more how my sins are covered by His blood and how I can appraoch God freely.
Peter sums this up beautifully

1 Peter 4:8 (New International Version)
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.


Hope that brings some encouragement to anyone reading. And if you are feeling down...
then have a pat on the back from me and know that God does not give up on those He loves.
And you can know God loves you by the fact that He sent His only Son - to remove your sins by giving up His life for you. God wouldn't give His Son for someone He didn't have time for.

God will not give you up just because you are still growing

Hosea 11:8 (New International Version)
"How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.

or again

Zephaniah 3:17 (New International Version)
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

God is mighty to save you. His arm is not too short to save. And He delights in His people. Isn't that an amazing thing to believe? Here is truth that you can trust in.

Psalm 149:4 (New International Version)
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

God is the befriender of the depressed. He brings me through time and again when I loose hope. He is My God and My Salvation.