"Someone told him (Jesus), 'Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.'  But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?'  And pointing to his disciples, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers!  For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother'" (Matthew 12:47-50).

A proper relationship with Jesus is important; at least, it is important to Jesus.  First, He distinguishes between a physical heratige and spiritual heratige by stating that blood relationship is not what counts; rather, love, dedication, and an obedient faith to the heavenly Father (cf. Romans; Galatians; 1 John).

Second, the spiritual relationship with Jesus is not just based on a "blind" following and meaningless repitition.  (Jesus doesn't want a "blind faith").  He pointed to His disciples.  A disciple is a follower.  A learner in the true sense.  They are those who choose to follow by free will.  They continue to learn, grow, and produce fruit of righteousness.

A person of relationship with Jesus (and God) are those who "does the will of my (Jesus') Father in heaven" (Matthew 12:50).  Other passages in Scripture teach that this obedience is not one that attempts to earn their salvation (Romans; Galatians).  It is a faith that lives a life worthy of the gospel of Christ; i.e., because one desires to wholeheartedly live for Him because of His love that He has already given.

Are you in a relationship with God?

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Ephesians 5.

I love my wife.  She is truly a godly partner in life.  She is kind and thoughtful.  She seeks to fulfill who and what she was made to be by God - not man. 

My wife doesn't stive for equal rights.  Why would she want to lower her standards.  I thank God every day that He blessed me with a woman I DON'T DESERVE.  I will accept this beautiful and godly gift under one condition.  The condition is . . . that the love of Christ is superior in every way.

Jesus is my primary relationship in every relationship.  How I treat my wife, as well as all people, must be and remain secondary.  The awesome thing about this understanding is that I don't seek to treat people based on how they treat me; rather, how I understand and relate to my primary relationship - Jesus.  (cf. Love and Respect)

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Mosab (Author of The Son of Hamas)

What an awesome opportunity for you to continue to grow in Christ. Our biggest example of sacrifice, Jesus, wasn’t excited about His death on the cross.

It was shameful to Him.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

He wanted the suffering to pass.

“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’” Matthew 26:39).

I don’t have all the answers myself but God does. Continue to reach for the strength that is not your own.

“If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again” (2 Corinthians 1:6-10).

The Lord’s humbled . . . Who prays for you.
John A. Reeves

"On the first day of the week (Sundays) we came together to break bread (Lord's supper)" (Acts 20:7).

I enjoy remembering significant episodes in my life and I know my wife does as well.  Today is the day my wife and I were married.  I bought her a card and some flowers.  Unfortunately, we have to work all day long; so, we will do more "celebrating" over the weekend. 

There is nothing like rememberance to keep one's life in focus.  This is what Jesus asked all His disciples to do for Him (Matthew 26:17-30; cf. Luke 22:7-30; Acts 20; 1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 11:17-34).  Christians remember Jesus life, death, burial, and resurrection.  We do this through what is called the Lord's supper.

I am impressed with how significant this rememberance is.  It is not a "ceremony".  It is not a "play".  It is not an "act".  It is a part of who I am.  Jesus died for me.  Jesus rose for me.  Jesus lives for me (and all people who choose Him).  I am completely aware of the significance of remembering this anniversary.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves