Serving The Lord! A Family Affair! Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - March 16, 2010

Serving The Lord! A Family Affair!

Joshua served the Lord until he was very old in age. During his last days, he gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem and gave them what seemed to be his last admonition and said:

“And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not do ye eat. Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 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 &MY HOUSE, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:13-15

EXPLORATION

The tendency has always been for some men to be so committed to other matters in life that they see the salvation and spiritual well-being of their wives and children as secondary. They also have the notion that once they are able to provide food, clothing, and shelter for their families, their work is done. But experience has shown that even when a man would have put in his best in doing all these, his wife and children could still be corrupt and immoral or criminally inclined. At the end of the day it would seem all his efforts had been in vain. The bible says:

“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” -Psalm 127:1

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verilya thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” -Psalm 37:3-5 (1 Peter 5:2)

INSPIRATION 

Money, education and wealth cannot change the sinful nature of man. The best they can do is help the sinner become more scientific in his sinful ways. They cannot alter man's sinful condition one bit. A man who raises his family only on the basis of good education, wealth and comfort without the knowledge of God and salvation in Christ is like someone building his house on sinking sand. All he would have succeeded in doing would have been to prepare his family for eternal damnation. Besides, a godless family-will surely be troubled by the devil and they in turn will be a problem in society. Do not raise a godless family; they will trouble your life!

As a Christian or gospel minister, if there is any spiritual duty that is primary in your life, it is the salvation and spiritual well-being of members of your family. We need to learn from the errors of men of God like Eli and Samuel. (1 Samuel 2:12-36, 1 Samuel 8:4-5). In the case of Eli, his children were corrupt and eventually destroyed. The Israelites could ask Samuel for a king that would reign over them like the other nations because the sons of Samuel did not walk in the ways of the Lord.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6 (Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:15, Ephesians 6:4).

But God has a different testimony about Abraham.

God said: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” -Genesis 18:19

When God called Moses to go and deliver Israel from the land of Egypt, Moses took his wife and two sons (Exodus 4:19-20).

Paul said to the jailor: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” –Acts 16:31

All these point to the fact that the call and work of God is a family affair. One cannot be so spiritual and busy that he would neglect the salvation and spiritual wellbeing of members of his family. Charity begins at home as people would say. Involve your family in your ministry.

Joshua said: “But as for ME &MY HOUSE, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:15

This week: This should be our confession! Joshua’s confession reveals his commitment to the Lord and his responsibility in influencing his family in serving the Lord. If members of a man's family do not get along with him in his spiritual work, it is most likely that he would not have a successful ministry. The secret of Joshua's GOOD SUCCESS was because his family was involved spiritually. Are you willing to make the same commitment? It is not too late! God is ready to return your family situations around as you make up your mind to lead them in the way of the LORD. Any ministry that ends without the salvation of the members of the minister's family is not a successful one.

Remember the Bible says: “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" - 1Timothy 3:5. 

You are blessed, we love you!

Pastor Wales Goriola

Bliss & Fire Network Team ©2010 

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