Family Focused
Pembroke First Baptist’s mission is to minister to the whole family.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom 8:15
Family is very important to God and has been in His heart since the creation of the earth. The family is the unit that God uses to show us how much He loves us. The family unit is where meaningful relationships are formed, and lifelong attitudes are first developed. A strong family unit is encircled and secured in love, devotion, trust, and where we find comfort and safety from our fears. The family is so important to God that the enemy made his first attack on the core family unit and has continued his assault on the family unit more than anything else throughout the generations. He works overtime to breakdown, disrupt, and cause chaos in family bonds. His endlessly pursuit is to cause discord and separation in family relationships that will give way to fear and the spirit of rejection. Those who feel rejected, often rebel against to those in authority and those in leadership, only to isolate and insulate themselves in distrust and despair. The scripture passage reminds us of the endeared relationship God has with His children through His Son Jesus. The child of God is fully embraced in the love of God to grow in and to know “ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” At the foot of the Cross, we see Jesus, suffering and in pain, show His deep affection and care for His beloved mother and friend. The bond of love they shared was precious and reminded her that that her heavenly Father would not leave her alone but provided for her a new son in the Apostle John. At the foot of the Cross, John received the greatest honor and trust of his Friend, to care for the mother of the Savior of the world. My friend, you may have experienced a lack of love from your father or mother. Or perhaps a brother and sister has walked away from you, but friend know that at the Cross you become part of a family that transcends blood relatives. God receives you and grafts into His eternal family, the Family of God. In the family of God, His love flows to you as a vine to its branches (Jn 14:5) and His Spirit fills you as a wellspring of living water that flows for all eternity (Jn 4:14). He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5). His love is eternal and everlasting. Dear friend, at the foot of the Cross we receive His love and by His Spirit cry out to Him, “Abba Father.” Father thank You for Your love and the bond of Your love through Your Son Jesus. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.
That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:7
For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18
No pain, no gain. This statement might seem foolish to some, but to those who are sincere about healthy living and long life, it only makes sense. The disciplined lifestyle may seem impossible to some, but to those who engage in healthy living it is empowering, enjoyable, and energizing. They understand and enjoy the benefits of dedicated workouts, devotion to healthy and nutritious diets, and discipline to stay the course. The scripture passage reminds us that similar thoughts exist about the message of the Cross. There is the thought of “How is meaning and purpose in life obtained through death and denying oneself of its pleasures?” This is mere foolishness to many who are of the intellectual mind, self-sufficient, and well accomplished in their current state of being. Yet my friend, this is the meaning of Easter. Easter is God’s way “that man should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). At the Cross man will determine whether he will perish or receive the “power of God” to eternal life. Friend, you may not call yourself a preacher, “but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” to proclaim the message of the Cross, which is salvation in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin. We all have loved ones who we would love to see saved and gain eternal life. Dear friend, are willing to deny yourself and suffer a moment to share the Easter story? To share “the preaching of the Cross,” that the power of God’s love might pierce the darkness of a lost soul and allow the precious blood of Jesus Christ to flow into their heart and bring them to His marvelous light. Will this Easter be a gain for the Kingdom of God? I pray that we will see the power of God move upon “us which are saved.” Father thank You for Your love. Remind me to survey myself at the foot of the Cross to see the precious blood, that flowed from Emmanuel’s vein, to pour our Your love upon a lost and dying world, “that none should perish but have everlasting life.” Thank You for saving me and giving me life eternal. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.
My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up. Ps 5:3