Thoughts to Inspire Faith

When I was younger, I used to believe the phrase that "blood was thicker than water". This was implying that those in a family should remain loyal to one another without betrayal. Yet as I grew, I realized more and more that myself, my siblings, and our parents and were merely humans, and we were incapable of holding true to such grandiose allegience. We still loved one another, but everyone, including me, had their own personal agendas and motives to attend to.

So in my teen years, I turned to friends, and foolishly believed that our bonds were stronger than that of my family's. How crushed and lonesome I felt when I began to see that close and dear friends would dare to betray me, or leave me when I most needed them.

What I was missing was that all of us are born sinful, and without Christ, we are all walking in the flesh. People are self-seeking, egotistical, greedy, manipulative, proud, self-righteous, and whenever others do not meet their needs or aren't doing what they think is right, they abandon them if not destroy them.

Through alot of this time I felt unfulfilled, unloved, and lost. But then Jesus reminded me of His everlasting Love for me, and He graciously took me back unto Himself. In Him, I find the Love and loyalty that I have so desired all of my life. Jesus has Loved me before all of creation! and because I choose to follow Him, my family IS the family of God. My home IS in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on all of these things helps me to understand the following verses. Before, I had thought that loving others meant that we were to remain devoted to them for ever, no matter what. But now I see that if anyone or anything wants to stand in the way of my Love for Jesus, of His Holy Word, or of God's kingdom, then I am to remain loyal to my King ~ just as He IS loyal to me.

And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdome of God's sake,
Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
~ Luke 18:29-30 ~ Jesus' Words

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Loving me with such great and pure Love. Thank You, for your loyalty and faithfulness unto me, Your child, and I pray that You Will make my heart, my mind, and my spirit remain loyal unto You. Help me to have wisdom and strength, so that I Will not let anyone or anything come before You. You ARE Holy and Sovereign, the King of heaven and earth. You ARE my God, my First Love. Thank You. Amen.

He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
~ Matthew 10:37-39 ~ Jesus' Words