It Starts In The Home

The thief cometh not but for to steal and for to kill and to destroy. Many of you may have heard me or another pastor quote this scripture or perhaps you've read it somewhere in reference to the enemies desire to destroy the families that belong to God. He uses the husband. He uses the wife. He uses the children and he uses outside influences. These influences can be family members, friends, the media and even people who confessed to be Christians.

 

Unfortunately there are single family homes with only a father or a mother due to circumstances beyond the control of the individual parent. If you are a single parent and the child’s father or mother is in a position to be a part of the child’s life without adversely affecting the child then by all means that person should be a part of the child’s life.

 

If parents are living together but not married you are out of order and setting the wrong example for your child. If you are cohabiting but you don’t have children you are out of order and again setting the wrong example.

 

If you are married you need to follows Gods plan for marriage and family. Husbands love your wife like Christ loves the church. Wives reverence your husbands. Husbands and wives submit to each other.

 

Husbands do not allow your wife to be the spiritual head of your home. You are out of order and setting the wrong example for your children. If your wife is a more seasoned Christian seek God, ask him to mature you. Read your bible and pray. Have study and prayer time with your wife and with your family.

 

Wives do not usurp spiritual headship over your husband just because you are a seasoned Christian. If you are really seasoned you know better. Pray for your husband support him in his role as husband and father so your children will know their roles as husbands and wives as they mature in the Lord.

Whatever example you set in your home will be the example your children will follow. Will your children always follow your example as you train them in the word of God? Children are free agents just as you as their parents are free agents and are responsible for making their own decision to follow Christ just as you did, but God has promised us that if we train up a child in the way he should go when he is old he will not depart from it.

 

Sure children as they mature in age may stray and do things you would not want them to do or even believe they would ever do, but God cannot lie. He says they will not depart and they will not depart.

Pray for your children, their friends and the youth of this and every nation for God to send laborers into their paths. The harvest is truly plentiful but the laborers are few.

Start by being an example in your home and allow God to use you.

What’s in Your Inventory?

Several years ago I was a beauty consultant. I helped women select the best skin care and cosmetics based on their skin type and the undertones in their skin. The women I served were always excited with the results of their consultation and wanted to purchase the products that were used so they could maintain their new look.

My director with the company would always tell her consultants to keep inventory in stock so our clients could purchase at the time of service. If the products aren’t available you may lose a sale.

What’s in your inventory and are you servicing your clients? As Christians we have a great command as we read in Mark 16:15-18 and he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

But as we read in Roman 10:14-15 how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? We must study to show ourselves approved. How can we share God’s word if we don’t know His word? We should be instant in season and out. Always willing to provide a word of encouragement, pray with or for someone or lead them in prayer to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

What is the purpose of having a storehouse full of inventory or being full of the word of God if you are not serving it to those who are in need? We read in Matthew 5:15-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Share God’s love by sharing His word you may never know how a few words can change a life or save a soul.

 

 

 

When Your Hands Are Tied

Have you ever been in a place where you have done everything you can do? You've prayed, cried, asked everyone you know for advice or simply keep whatever has you bound or perplexed to yourself. You may have tried to figure out what you or someone else could have done to end up with a different outcome. Then you finally realize your hands are tied. There is nothing you can do.

 

Oftentimes when we are in difficult situations we are quick to say 'well the devil is busy' but have you ever considered God may be trying to get your attention? He may be trying to move you out of the way so that He can have free reign in your life or the life of the person you are busy trying to fix.

 

It's our nature to try and fix everything and everybody. We just want things right, or at least right according to our standards. Unfortunately unless we or those that we try to protect never experience challenges neither we nor they will ever look to God for help. God wants us to depend on Him not on our thoughts or our efforts. He doesn't want us leaning on anyone except for Him. He shares His glory with no man and no man is capable of doing what He can do.

We spend countless hours worrying, losing sleep and sometimes even spending money trying to find a remedy for things that if given to God He can and will take care of for us. Does He always do it the way we would like to have it done or when we would like to have it done, maybe not, but one thing we can be assured of is that He will do it just when it needs to be done.

 

It’s easy for someone to tell you not to worry and it's easy for you to tell someone else not to worry when you are not the person that is worried, but when we worry we are saying God you can't handle this so I've got to figure it out when the opposite is actually true. We can't handle it.  That's why we are worrying. Our way of handling everything in life should be to seek Gods counsel then rest in Him and allow Him to take control. It is easier said than done, but once you come to that place where your hands are tied there is nothing else you can do. You might as well just rest in Him!