Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Faith that has to be Formulated in
the Family
Michele Mathew
Epiphany MTC,
NY
15 Now if you are unwilling
to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the
gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the
Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will
serve theLord.”
A common verse to us all, Joshua challenges us as he did with the Israelites, to fear and serve our Lord in sincerity and truth. This verse places the decision solely up to Israel. They must choose between serving the pagan gods of their early ancestors, or the living God. Joshua also understood that as the priest of his family, he was held with the responsibility to see that his whole house served the one true Lord. He had the job of representing his house before God.
Many times in the midst of the busyness of life and all of its demands, we often fail to serve our Father in the way He commands us to do so. We often take the free will God so graciously granted to us and instead choose to live for our own flesh, forsaking the being that granted it to us in the first place. To serve the Lord means making a conscious effort to step away from the world and it’s earthly desires and serve the Lord the way he deserves to be praised – earnestly and continuously.
In addition to fostering our personal relationship with God, it is important to recognize that these behaviors did not spring forward spontaneously, but have been carefully cultivated by the teachings of those around us – our family. Our family becomes the first stepping-stones in guiding us; it is here we root the stem of our faith, values and beliefs. It is also through the patient teachings of our parents and elders that we see how our Father should be worshiped and adored.
I have seen this in my own life, through the prayers and tears in which my parents continually pour at the feet of our Savior, have given us the blessings that my sisters and I gratefully carry to this day. We must put our dependence on God in all the affairs of the family, as He is the keeper and the ultimate provider for all our needs. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that going forward, we not only be mindful of our own relationship with the Lord but also, with keeping our entire family’s eyes fixed on the Lord.
A common verse to us all, Joshua challenges us as he did with the Israelites, to fear and serve our Lord in sincerity and truth. This verse places the decision solely up to Israel. They must choose between serving the pagan gods of their early ancestors, or the living God. Joshua also understood that as the priest of his family, he was held with the responsibility to see that his whole house served the one true Lord. He had the job of representing his house before God.
Many times in the midst of the busyness of life and all of its demands, we often fail to serve our Father in the way He commands us to do so. We often take the free will God so graciously granted to us and instead choose to live for our own flesh, forsaking the being that granted it to us in the first place. To serve the Lord means making a conscious effort to step away from the world and it’s earthly desires and serve the Lord the way he deserves to be praised – earnestly and continuously.
In addition to fostering our personal relationship with God, it is important to recognize that these behaviors did not spring forward spontaneously, but have been carefully cultivated by the teachings of those around us – our family. Our family becomes the first stepping-stones in guiding us; it is here we root the stem of our faith, values and beliefs. It is also through the patient teachings of our parents and elders that we see how our Father should be worshiped and adored.
I have seen this in my own life, through the prayers and tears in which my parents continually pour at the feet of our Savior, have given us the blessings that my sisters and I gratefully carry to this day. We must put our dependence on God in all the affairs of the family, as He is the keeper and the ultimate provider for all our needs. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that going forward, we not only be mindful of our own relationship with the Lord but also, with keeping our entire family’s eyes fixed on the Lord.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank
you for the gift of family. Allow us to humble ourselves before you and
earnestly seek Your will for us in our lives. Reveal yourself in our hearts and
minds daily, allow us to lovingly trust in all You do. Amen
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
“Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter”. - Brad Henry
“Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter”. - Brad Henry