Refrigerator Privileges

Last Sunday's sermon was a masterpiece! It really got me thinking about my own life, my currant situation and where I want to be in this world. So, I took a few key points from the sermon, and here we go:

Focus On Family
I have two younger brothers who I love very much. They are lucky enough to live in the same city and state as my parents (who I also love very much). Being military, we are not afforded that same luxury. My husband is the youngest of his siblings. He has three older sisters, a step-brother and step-sister. His parents live in different states. His family is very spread out, so it would be impossible to live close to all of them, and mine. Our combined family is huge!!

Family is very important to me. I work very hard to keep my family strong, and I am proud to say that there have been relationships in my family that I had a hand in strengthening. I firmly believe that NOTHING is more important than family! I have family members who I am not close with, and it really hurts me to know that they are out there and we don't speak more often. I recently got back in touch with one of my cousins on Facebook. I had not seen her in probably 20 years. It's heartbreaking how life goes by and we don't see each other, we only keep in touch through our parents, or not at all. My grandparents have all passed away. I often wonder about my cousins, aunts and uncles who are not a part of my life. There are a few others who I call from time to time to catch up. Others I "talk" to through the Internet.

My family, my blood, my desire to make sure they know Christ...

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10

Why You Don't Want To Be An Outcast
Are you an outcast among your family, your circle of friends (or lack thereof) or from the family of the body of Christ? During the sermon I started to answer a maybe/yes. I have so much family I don't know. Does that make me an outcast? I have a lot of "friends" (er, acquaintances) but I have reduced my circle of friends for various reasons. Even though it was my own choice, does that make me an outcast? I am a believer in Christ. I have asked Him into my life, into my heart, into my soul. I pray. I ask for forgiveness. I confess my sins. I go to church. How could I be an outcast from the body of Christ? I don't want to be an outcast! I know what I would be missing!

And just like that, I realized that I don't want to be an outcast, and why no one should want to be an outcast. We should desire to stand in community with our brothers and sisters in Christ and to worship with them. Yes, I am a Christian, even if I didn't go to church on Sunday, but to have that community connection, that communion with other Christians who will love and care about you, nurture your relationship with God and help you grow in your Faith... you're not going to get that by praying at home on the couch. As Christians we have a duty to serve our God and our church. We need to minister to others, to further the mission and continue to plant the seeds so faith and the knowledge of God's eternal love for us can grow in the hearts and souls of others!

What It Means To Be In Community With Christ
When we are in community with Christ, when we are a part of His family, we are "in"! We have full access to all the promises in the Bible, and all the promises of Heaven! We get refrigerator privileges! You're family now, go help yourself, make yourself at home!! BUT, we also have the obligation to uphold our promises to God, to be faithful to Him and live our lives for Him. As I said before, we also have a responsibility to care for the others in his flock.

Do we fully realize the amazing PRICE that was paid for us? Jesus suffered and DIED for our sins.

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ. -Ephesians 2:13

Once we were far, but now we are near. God wants us to be close to Him, just as He wants us to be close to one another. We need to get reconnected to those who have become "lost", and we need to share what we know with others. 

And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that HE is the ONE appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. -Acts 10:42

Proclaiming aloud Your praise and telling of all Your wonderful deeds. -Psalm 26:7

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. -Romans 10:17  So go tell someone!!


Open your heart, open your arms, and lift your eyes to the sky for surely God's overabundant love will be raining down upon you. God Bless!




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*The term "Refrigerator Privileges" came from our pastor, Brother Larry, in his sermon last Sunday. ;o) I wish I could take credit for that gem, but it's not mine! LOL