We have just entered the second month of the year, February. February is known for the topics of love, marriage, and family. As I sit and write this post tonight, I am taken back by so many families that I know who are walking through some kind of difficulty. A son who was quickly called away to help his father who is up in age and not able to take care of himself any more. A marriage that seems to be falling apart at the seams and thinking there is no future. Family members who have received bad news from their doctor or even walking through yet again another diagnosis.
Whatever the circumstance is, I want to lift you and your family up with some encouragement today. Below is a list of ten things that can help you and your family when walking through the good and the bad. You may read the list below and see that you are doing good in some areas and in others not so good. Know that it is ok. You are not a bad person. Just pick up where you and start the journey again. This not a check list but to serve more as a reminder to be on guard of neglecting the things that are important on your faith walk.
1. Put Jesus first and make Him Lord and King of your life.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Seeking first His kingdom and righteousness and everything else will fall into place. Love God and Him only.
2. Pray and read the Bible individually and as a family.
Every one in the family who is able to read should have a Bible that is age appropriate. This is not so the Bible can be on display, but read. Teach that the Bible is to be loved and obeyed. Children will watch their parents and follow in their footsteps. Parents set the example. Prayer is important. Prayer should happen more than just around the dinner table. Pray together on the way to school, on the way to church, even on the family vacation. Praying alone is important too. Take the time to give God adoration, confess known sins, express thanksgiving, and take time to pray for others.
3. Lead your children to worship.
The best investment a family can make is attending church. No other investment of a similar amount of time will produce such rich dividends for the family’s well-being, for God’s strength and guidance comes through public worship. Parents should set an example by declaring their reverence for God and their love for the church. Children should not be sent to church; they should be led to church.
4. Build Christian friendships.
A wise man once said, "He who desires friends must show himself friendly." Each Christian family should put forth continuous effort to develop friendships with other Christian families. This should be done for mutual helpfulness in times of stress and need. Other families need the blessing that can come to them through you, and you may someday need the strength and help that can come to you through your Christian friends.
5. Build meaningful relationships with those around you.
Love your neighbor. This is not something that we think about all the time. However, in many parts of the world a neighbor is someone who lives close by. Jesus defined it as someone who is in need. The story of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25-37, speaks of compassion for those who are in need.
6. Seek to serve others as a family.
It is exceedingly easy in our materialistic and competitive society for parents to become so pressured by material values that they neglect to give time to their family. Time for the church and community also suffers, which in turn has a negative impact on family values.
7. Return to God a minimum of one-tenth of your income.
People were made to be givers. Each of us needs to let God enter into our economic affairs by acknowledging God’s ownership and our trusteeship by giving a minimum of a tithe to the Lord’s work.
8. Give praise and thanks God.
Psalm 136:1-3
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
9. Return to God one-seventh of your week for rest and worship.
People were not made to live by bread alone. The Lord’s Day should be special for God and for the family.
10. Respond to the personal presence and power of God's Holy Spirit; who is a gift to all believers.
Conversion to Christ brings with it the gift of God’s Holy Spirit as a personal presence and power in the life of each believer. When there are Christians in the home, it is important to make a proper response to the Holy Spirit so that all of family life might be lived under the grace and guidance of God.
I am sure there are other things that you can think of too. Take a moment to share your thoughts by leaving a comment. You never know, your comment might just help someone and their family.
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