Thought for today - 12/27/2012

A PLACE TO BELONG
"We desire to be included in fellowship with God and with others. We long to belong. This desire is about community. We long to be a part of something larger than ourselves. It helps us feel that we are not alone and gives us a sense of well-being. God includes us in fellowship with himself and with his Son Jesus through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, 'Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother' (Matthew 12:50). He also said, 'Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them' (Matthew 18:20). Jesus tells us to include and welcome each other: 'Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me' (Mark 9:37). The apostle Paul tells us that we all have different talents and gifts but that we are part of the same body and that we belong to each other (Romans 12:5–6)."
- Mark & Debra Laaser, The Seven Desires of Every Heart