Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

11 March 2025

Reading From Mark 12:28-44

“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”

—Mark 12:28-34

     We believe in and love and serve a Three in One God.  He is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in One God.  No one is His equal and there is no one greater than Him.  God is from everlasting to everlasting; He always was and always will be.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever; He never changes.  He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere at the same time. 

God is Spirit with both masculine and feminine characteristics who by nature transcends gender and we are made in God’s spiritual image; male and female united in the covenant of marriage as one reflect the image of God more accurately than any other symbol He’s given us.  God is One; one in purpose, one in nature and longs to bring all human beings into oneness with Himself by His grace through their faith in His atonement and resurrection. 

     To love Him, love others and love ourselves in the way that He has modeled for us is the Great Commandment.  From the Great Commandment to love and the Great Commission to make disciples flow the purposes of the church to worship, evangelize, disciple, minister and fellowship all for the glory of God.  To share His love and message is to be who we are and what we are to be about.  It is our Father’s business.  We are commanded and commissioned and our Perfect Parent empowers and equips us to do so.

“Lord, refocus our minds and hearts on what is important; what You have called us to be and do.  Help us to be Your hands and feet in building Zion upon the Earth instead of Babylon.  Align our priorities with the principles of Your Word.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

—Luke 2:49