THURSDAY JULY 9, 2020
YOUR FAMILY MATTERS TO GOD
TEXT: JOSHUA 19:17-23
KEY VERSE: "And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families" (JOSHUA 19:17).
One minister of God explains the importance of the family. "It is here (within the family) that human life begins and often closes its earthly pilgrimage. Here it is trained for this world and disciplined for the world that is to come..." Our text today reveals the inheritance of the children of Issachar: sixteen cities with their villages. This inheritance was shared according to their families, signifying the importance of the family.
Joshua, the servant of God, knew the importance of serving God with the whole of his family. He decided, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). One thing is sure about the resolution of Joshua: his attention was majorly on his family. He knew that he might not be able to influence all the Israelites as he desired, but he was sure he could do so much more in his own family. Thus, he was determined that whatever perversion might be going on among the Israelites as a whole, his family would remain consecrated to God.
Most times, we bemoan the state of our society and the state of the universal Church without giving much thought to the family - that pivotal fountain from which the society and the Church spring. It is never God's desire that a member of a family be saved while others are lost in sin. His ultimate desire is that we and our entire household are preserved in His salvation.
Thus, we must be concerned about the salvation of our entire family and as many as are under our roofs. We must, therefore, make genuine efforts to win them over to Christ by demonstrating godly lives before them at all times and ensuring they attend church services and programmes.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Get your household into the 'ark' of salvation.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 KINGS 20-21
HIGHER EVERYDAY
THURSDAY JULY 9, 2020
HARMONY IN THE HOME
TEXT: PSALM 133:1-3
MEMORY VERSE: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (PSALM 133:1).
A home where there are quarrels, malice, nagging, and even fights, has no harmony. Definitely, members of such a family will not be eager to go home at the end of the school or work day. Harmony in the home is like the harmonious sound and melody of musical instruments in the orchestra. It is so sweet to the ears that you cannot resist it. Thomas Jefferson, the late president of America, said, "The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.
A harmonious home is a home where Christ reigns as the Head of the family. It nurtures and supports every member of the family. Harmony in the home revives, strengthens and equips for a fruitful and happy life. In such a home, the Bible is read and the toxic lifestyles of sinners in the home are shed, and Christ is allowed to transform their home into a relaxing space which helps them live a happy and healthy life.
QUOTE: Harmony in the home revives.
CHALLENGE: How are you contributing to the peace in your home?
PRAYER: Give me a calm and peaceful home, oh God.