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Publisher’s Note
Dear readers, The summer is going fast as everyone is having fun especially that we just wrapped up the festivities of the 10 days Calgary Stampede. The weather cooperated in a way where it showered during the parade but it all went well. I’m sure that the organizers of Calgary Stampede were all happy with an [...]
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Family is a gift from God

by Pastor Nilo Briones of Jesus Word of Life International Fellowship

How important is your family to you? Are you spiritually blessed with joy or heavily burdened economically or emotionally for having a family? Or are you homesick because your family is far distant away from you? Well, there is truth to say that home is where your family is – it may be a family of fellow believers in faith or a family of close friends where you find fulfillment to a proverbial saying that, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother”, especially that Jesus models our true Friend.

The Bible has something to say about the essence of having a family for God loves to bless a family. In the beginning of time, we are reminded that God is concerned in saving a family, most notably during the time of Noah when a flood judgment wiped out all of creation in the sinful world except the ‘family of Noah’ that perpetuated the existence of mankind on the face of the earth.

In the New Testament (Luke 8), when Jesus awesomely delivered a naked unruly man from the tormenting legion of evil spirits, the man asked if he could join the Lord and his disciples. Jesus declined and lovingly told him to go back to his own house or family so he can ‘witness’ or share to them what God had done to him. Every Christian has the responsibility of witnessing to his/her family so they would hear the goodness of God and respond in faith towards salvation. A family needs to love one another as much as to bring one another to an endearing relationship with the Lord Jesus.

Another text that carries the promise of a household being saved is found in Acts 16:31. After witnessing a miracle of Paul and Silas being freed from prison, the Philippian jailer asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” to which they respond, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.” This promise is clearly universal in nature and spans all time periods and contexts. That promise is entirely consistent with every other verse in the Bible that speaks of salvation. It is the promise that if you believe in the Lord Jesus “you shall be saved.” Also, if we continue to study this passage in context, we see again that salvation came as the result of hearing the Word of God and responding in faith (Acts 16:32).

What can we say then as we focus our attention to our respective families? Love them and show them how much you care. Time awaits no one and every day that passes by is precious to let go without expressing love to one another. And love, as biblically defined, forgives and forgets. I’ve heard one critical remark that says it’s ironic that people who are dear to you hurts you the most. Well, is it because too much familiarity breeds contempt? Let’s remember our human frailty and take comfort of the thought that there is no perfect family. If you’re hurting, or have been offending, let’s forgive, forget and pick up the broken pieces and live for what’s best for our loved ones. Indeed, you are blessed for having a family — a gift that God has bestowed upon you!

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Jesus Word of Life International Fellowship congregates at 175 Whitefield Drive NE (a 100-meter walk from NE Whitehorn C-train station). Schedule of Saturday Services include: 5:00-6:00 p.m. Bible Studies (adult/youth/children) and Worship at 6:00-7;30 p.m. followed by dinner and fellowship. Should you need prayers, you may contact Pastor Nilo at (403) 973-0623.

Family is a gift from God

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