From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage@juno.com>
Subject: Joyous Greetings
Date: Sunday, April 01, 2001 7:38 AM

"So you, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual
blessing) that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus.  2 Timothy 2:1
Amplified Bible

This grace, spiritual blessing, can only be found in our living relationship
to Jesus Christ.  Scripture tells us, "For you are all sons of God through
faith in Christ Jesus."  Galatians 4:26
And as in Romans 8:29, that He, Jesus "...might be the first-born of many
brethren."   Yes, Believer, we are livingly related to Christ.  (Since this
is so and we are one in Christ and of the family of God, we are related to
one another.)

Concerning our spiritual relationship:
Obedience secures the benefits --
We see and example in the account in Luke 8:19-21 when Jesus' mother, Mary,
and His brothers (and His sisters as mentioned in Matthew's account
12:46-50), came to speak to Him,
"But He answered and said to them, 'My mother and My brothers are these who
hear the word of God and do it.'" Luke 8:21  Did you catch that?  Those who
hear the word of God and do it.

All barriers are broken down --
"Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens,
excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with
the saints ( God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and
you belong to God's [own] household."  Ephesians 2:19  Amplified

Saints in heaven and earth united in this spiritual relationship --
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Ephesians, says, "For this reason, I bow my
knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth
derives its name."  Ephesians 3:14-15

Jesus Christ makes known this spiritual family relationship --
"For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one
Father; for which reason He (Jesus Christ) is not ashamed to call them
brethren."  Hebrews 2:11

How awesome is the love of God to us that He would make all provisions to
draw us into His very own family.  The words of Jesus in what is known as
His Priestly Prayer never ceases to astound me with the great love with
which He loves us.  Please read the whole of John 17, I will just write a
few of the verses here were He not only prays for His disciples, but for all
who will believe through their word.

"I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me
through their word; that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in
Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe
that Thou didst send Me.  And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have
given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and Thou
in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that
Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me."  John
17:20-23

What joy is ours in Christ Jesus, the Savior, the Lord!  It makes your heart
just want to sing:
"Break forth into joy oh my soul,
 Break forth into joy oh my soul,
 In the presence of the Lord there is joy forever more.
 Break forth, break forth into joy oh my soul!"

May you be blessed today with a greater knowledge of the King of kings and
the Lord of lord.
Amen.