3 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Leviticus 23-24
Mark 3:13-35

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Mark 3:33-35 (CSB): “He replied to them, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ Looking at those sitting in a circle around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.'”

Reflecting on God’s Word

We all have a desire to belong, including the social outcasts who join gangs.

Family is the most basic building block of society. If you don’t belong to anyone else, you belong to each other. Your closest family members can and should meet your need to love and be loved. It is particularly wonderful if your family shares your faith with the Lord.

But what if your family is dysfunctional, and you are left feeling unloved and undervalued? What happens if your family doesn’t share your love for the Lord Jesus and obedience to Him?

That’s when we realize that we have another “family” that is pretty big. If you are saved, then you are a part of the family of God. God is your Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9), Jesus is your elder brother (Hebrews 2:11), and everyone who is a Jesus-follower is your family (Galatians 3:26).

Ideally, we have a biological family that we enjoy being with, AND we have a church family that we also enjoy being with. Ideally, we get our need to love and be loved in these two spheres.

But let’s be honest. It doesn’t always work that way. As a pastor working behind the curtain of ministry, I’ve discovered that there are virtually always some people who, for one reason or another, are a tool in Satan’s hand to stir up trouble in churches.

Do you wipe your hands clean of your family or church when conflict arises? Of course not! Ideally, compassion and biblical principles are applied with a desire to restore unity and love. But just remember, this isn’t Heaven? We are going to hurt and be hurt. But we’re still family.

Strive for peace. It’s not always possible. But if there is disunity, then don’t let it be because of you.

Romans 12:18 (CSB): “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you see how He has blessed you in your family and church relationships.
  • Ask God to help you see who feels like they are on the “outside” so that you can welcome them into soul-satisfying relationships.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into our relationship with fellow believers, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“Why does Jesus ask, ‘Who are my mother and brothers?’ in Matthew 12:48?”

“What does the Bible say about conflict resolution?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)