Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

24 November 2025

Reading From I Peter 1

“Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.”—I Peter 1:21-25

     Jesus Christ is the promises of God come true; He embodies the Word of God.[1]  He is the Word of God who was made flesh and dwelt among us.[2]  We purify ourselves by obeying the truth in that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.[3]  We discover the plan of salvation through the Word of God the Bible, which is living and active.[4]  By the power of the Holy Spirit, His Word comes alive within us and we become walking, living, breathing testaments to the goodness of God.  Obedience to the truth for salvation means that we come to the Father on His terms, by grace through faith, repentance, confession and surrender to Jesus as Savior and Lord.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”[5] Christ and His Word form the foundation of our faith.

“O Lord God, Your Word is invaluable to us.  As Your people, we prize it above all else.  Guide us by Your Spirit into all truth.  Show us how to apply Your precepts and principles in our modern context.  Lead us forward in faith as You divinely reveal Your heart and character and mind through Your Word and by Your Spirit.  Thank You for walking with us on our journey of faith in this world that can be cold, dark and cruel.  Your Presence means everything to me.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
    By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
    do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
    as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

—Psalm 119:9-16

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[1] I Peter 1:10-12

[2] John 1:1-14

[3] John 14:6

[4] Psalm 107:20, John 17:17, Romans 1:16, 10:17, Hebrews 4:12

[5] Proverbs 9:10