Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

8 July 2025

Reading From Acts 15:22-41

“So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.”—Acts 15:30-32

This is how I imagine the epistles that form the majority of our New Testament were originally received. I can see in my minds eye, men and women, boys and girls seeking each other out all over a village or city where the letter was delivered and telling each other where and when to gather. Then when everyone finally meets up, the church listening intently as the messages of God through Paul or James or Peter were read, hanging on every word and then talking about and praying about and studying about their meanings and applications.

In this case, it is noted that Judas and Silas were used of God to deliver prophetic messages of encouragement. It was not only the apostles who were used in this way. Anyone can hear from God and encourage others if they are willing to listen and obey. What a wondrous feeling to know that I am connected to each and every one of these ancient believers by the same Holy Spirit as the eternal family of God and that I will see them and know them all in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

“Lord Jesus, speak to us for Your servants are listening. Enable us by the power of Your Spirit to trust and obey. Amen.”

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Ephesians 5:17-20