Biblical Family Ministries

Family Issues

As we move through Ephesians 4:25-32 we are working on communication. Last time we discussed some of verse 32. Our emphasis was on the challenge to be kind. It is quite a challenge, because when someone has hurt us or failed us we don’t “want to” be kind. Did I mention that our “want to” is rooted in emotion. Feelings are very hard to control and too often they control us. Ephesians 4:32 is a spiritual “opportunity”. In fact I am not sure we can act in kindness unless we get a spiritual perspective on the matter at hand. Our challenge is to “will to” do something kind to the offender. To pick up on our last thought from our previous article, I remind you and I remind me to not build expectations for the other person. It is natural and common for us to believe that since we did something kind to or for someone, they should respond in some positive way. We especially feel that way if we don’t think they deserved our effort of kindness in the first place. Such an attitude on our part will bring disaster. We quoted Psalm 62:5 in concluding last time, but here it is again, “My soul wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him.” Do the kind thing and then put it in God’s hands. If the other person reciprocates you may have an opportunity to see things resolved. Remember in the midst of all this – pray – pray – pray!       Kindness is just part 1 of Ephesians 4:32. The verse says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” “Tenderhearted”, now there is challenge. There are a lot of hard hearted, bitter people in the world. I don’t want to be one of them. Do you? We all get hurt and anyone could become bitter. When that happens we are the ones who suffer most. Being bitter and hard does not punish the other person. Tenderheartedness includes the idea of compassion. Our offender may very well need our compassion. The offender’s harsh ways may be the result of his own failure to respond in a godly way to the hurts he has experienced. We need not excuse his ungodly ways, but we can pray for him and understand his spiritual defeats. We don’t have to set ourselves up for more hurt, but we can ask the Lord to give us tenderness and wisdom in going forward in our own lives. Whatever you might face in trial and heartache at the hands of another person, don’t let it destroy you. Hardness toward another person will easily transfer to hardness toward a lot of people, because it can become part of you. You may know someone who is not just angry at a single person – they live angry all the time. That cannot be you. Ask the Lord to give you a tender heart.       

Trends &Troubles

         

We seem to have moved into a time of increasing trouble in the world, the nation, the church and the home. The world is experiencing new tensions among nations. The USA is following a radical left agena.  Churches are facing pressures from within and without. Some churches have internal conflict over their response to Covid, while others have suffered from various levels of government for daring to stand and worship openly. Families are being devastated from lock downs, schools being closed, jobs being lost and many other pressures. We cannot do much about the world scene, but we can look more fervently for the return of the Lord. As U.S. citizens we need to be involved by staying informed, speaking out, and contacting local officials, along with State and Federal Legislators. Faithful worship, prayer and church fellowship will bring encouragement. Do not stay home and isolate yourself. That will take a toll on you emotionally and spiritually. We cannot become victims of the pressures being imposed on us. Extremely important in times like these is family strength and stability. Your family success will start with your personal success in facing these uncertain days. Fear and worry are no friend to the believer, but they are happy to stand at the door and try to get into our minds. Philippians 4:6-7 are verses to live with every day. “Be careful (worried to distraction) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known unto God. And the peace that passeth understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This is the pathway to personal stability. These are good verses to read and memorize, but more importantly to put into practice. Verse 8 follows with instruction on how to think. Our thought life can be destructive. We need to battle wrong, defeating thoughts all the time.  Of course it is critical to spend time meditating on God’s Word. If you have a good devotional book use it daily, but don’t let it be a substitute for time directly in Scripture. We must get on top of our circumstances and claim the promises God has given us. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, the joy of the Lord is our strength. I need it – don’t you?

         

Prescription

For The Family  

None of us can understand much about the Lord. We are human and finite; He is Divine and infinite. It has always helped me however, to see that He reveals Himself and His ways in family terms. To help us grasp how a person gets right with God, our Lord Jesus introduced the term “born again”. Everyone knows what it means to be born. We need that to happen in a spiritual way. Then I appreciate that we become children of God and He is our Heavenly Father. Growing up in a broken home without an earthly father, I did not always grasp the full blessing of having a Heavenly Father. When I became a father I loved the privilege and I loved having a Father in heaven. In my earthly family I grew up with a sister and two brothers. How incredible to know hundreds of spiritual brothers and sisters. The parallels are numerous and we must see their importance. Unfortunately the family is under attack. In many ways our collapsing society is a reflection of the collapsing family. The BLM and Marxist attack on the “nuclear family” is terribly destructive. God’s plan for the family includes parents and children living in a loving relationship. My growing up experience was abnormal. Our single parent home survived, but it was not what God planned or desired. The family as God planned it includes a loving father who leads his home in a godly fashion. He is the head of his home and the head of his wife. There is a godly wife who submits to her husband’s headship. Hopefully, there are children who are lovingly cared for and trained. The family walks together in serving the Lord. I don’t know how your family is doing, nor what your place is in your family. There are some situations that cannot be fully repaired, but our challenge is to know what God intended and seek it. If you are the husband/dad, wife/mom or child, endeavor to do your part to honor God’s plan. If you need to be “fixed”, ask God to begin a work in all, by starting with you. Ask God to bring your family to a place where He is able to bring change and blessing.  I see so many families – in church, and out, with no semblance of love and respect for each other. The hurts and heartaches of conflict have won. Let’s not settle for that

 

God is looking for men…

 

                Is He looking for you?

 

Some verses show up often in books, sermons, and plaques. Right now I am thinking of Joshua 24:15. …choose you this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. There is no doubt in my mind that Joshua was a saved man. I believe he had been regenerated by the power of the Spirit of God. He saw the need however, to choose to serve the LORD. He saw that need in his own life and he saw it in the lives of the people of Israel. He made his choice, but here is what is very significant. He said he was choosing to serve the LORD and that his house would also serve the LORD. Men need to make the choice, but they need such a strong testimony before their wives and children that they can publicly declare that their household will serve the LORD too. Such a man does not simply give orders to his family. He wins them by his godly testimony. They are glad to follow him in his surrender to the LORD.

 

ARE YOU WILLING TO BE THAT MAN?

 

 

 

From Under the Umbrella

 By Patricia E. Griffith 

And so, the insanity in this country continues; one year and the lies and gripping fear have paralyzed so many. It just amazes me how many Christians have no idea what the Government is doing. It is so plain to me to see what the Devil is masterfully doing! He is having a grand time destroying everything our beloved Country has stood for. This world is the Devil’s domain! Many churches we have had contact with tell us of church members who have not attended in over a year. Why are Christians believing the so called “SCIENCE” of radical professionals who continue to work with governments around the world? There is so much “SCIENCE” from professionals who love America that totally disagrees with the Globalists.

“I belong to the King, I’m a child of His care…” is a precious song that helps us put life into perspective without giving in to fear.  Isaiah 26:3,4 says, “Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD Jehovah is everlasting a God who loves us, provides everything strength.” Why are we fearful, listening to every order and not thinking for ourselves. When we all have what we need in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who guides us and cares for us. It is time for Christians to start trusting the Lord and not the wicked government. I know there will be some who disagree with me, but I get to write my heart in my little space and I am so concerned for the precious saints who are living at home – in fear!  

 

Perspective

 

There is a passage of Scripture that has become very precious and encouraging to me. There is not sufficient space in this column to fully examine it, but I suggest you turn to II Peter 3. Peter begins by telling his readers of the last days and the mocking attitude of those who will question why Jesus Christ has not returned. Peter says the willing ignorance of creation, by the Word of God, the flood of Noah’s day, by the Word of God, and the preservation of the world for future judgment, by the Word of God demonstrates their doubt of God and His power. Peter tells them the Lord is not slack concerning His promise. “Slack” suggests delayed or late. Peter says in essence – Don’t worry, God operates via an on time schedule. He does not run late. Jesus Christ will come. I could wish that were today. My greatest blessing in this chapter however, is the promise that after this world is fully judged and destroyed, God will make new heavens and a new earth. Praise the Lord, I can’t wait.