Building and leading a happy home in a loving and godly environment is of huge importance in the scriptures. Never has the family unit been under as much pressure and attack as it is today.
Joshua 24v15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
This man Joshua in the Old Testament almost 3,500 years ago was facing many of the same issues we still face today- who will we serve?
Some serve the false god of material gain - never content with what they have, working every hour for more and spending less and less time with the family.
Yet others get caught up in wrong relationships, too much social media, addiction to various drugs. Even things that seem OK to begin with can take a twist. Exercise, a lot of TV or other hobbies can take up an unhealthy amount of our time.
Joshua made this decision- others could serve what or who they wanted but his goal and focus was to serve The Lord. We often speak of lifestyle choices and you will never make a better one than that. Not only so but he determined to take his family on that same journey with him.
Most loving parents want the very best for their children. Many pay for extra activities such as horse riding, skating, swimming, music lessons etc. None of these things of course are wrong or bad in themselves. However, the greatest investment you can make in your family is to give them your time and your love and to intentionally sow into their spiritual life.
Involve them in an active church life, teach them daily to pray and read the scriptures.
Pray for them and with them every day.
Sign post them to Christ at the earliest opportunity- and continue to do so.
Make your home a loving, thoughtful environment where Christ is the head.
Plan ahead and sit down together at meal times, switch off the TV and talk to each other. Be very careful what you allow into your home to influence your family- TV programs, magazines, what they are looking at online. You would never take your children to a strip club, bar or ungodly show - yet if we do not control what is being watched in our own homes we can inadvertently bring these things into our own living room.
Be an example that they will look up to and want to emulate.
Pray regularly with your spouse and encourage one another.
Don’t allow outside sources such as peer pressure or ungodly agendas to shape your family. You commit to doing it.
Be a man or woman of God.
The best husband or wife and the most loving parent is the person who shows the love of God to those The Lord has put in our own homes. You will be blessed as a unit as you serve The Lord.
Till next month - love and blessings Pastor John
