Enemies of the Home

With our theme this year taking us through three thoughts, Faith-Family-Future.  We as a church find ourselves looking at the home during the months of May through August. 

The American family has been under satanic attack for the past several decades.  With the invention of the television to the technology we have available to us today the face of the traditional family has changed.  I know sometimes when I glance around our home I see everyone of us, from our three year old to myself engulfed in a screen. 

Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate technology, after all I am typing on a laptop.  I use an iPad, have a television with satellite...we as a family are on the proverbial grid if you will.  But there are dangers in this that can be detrimental to a family if not carefully guarded.

So here are some simple thoughts as a family to place guards to protect against the Enemy of Technology in the Home.

• Put a guard before your eyes and the eyes of your children.   

Psalm 101:3 "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."

• Have a set time to turn off the switch and spend time as a family.

(Game night, read a book (One that is made of paper :-)), Tell some family stories, go for a walk together.)

• Ask your children what they are watching and looking at.

 Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

It may seem simple but it is our responsibility as parents to teach and guard the heart of our children and lead and guide them to the Heavenly Father.

• Lead by example.

There are many times we as parents need to take some down time.  In the 1980s a statistic came out that with the invention and implementation of the personal computer by 1985 we would be working less than 30 hours per week because of the convenience of technology.  Just the opposite has happened.  I am answering emails late into the night, social media keeps us constantly connected but many times we are disconnected from the flesh and blood family siting in front of us.  Mom and Dad turn it off and spend time talking together. 

Just some simple thoughts that I believe if implemented with help us protect our families from the enemies that are attacking our home. 

 

Walking in the Light.

We live in a world that though surrounded by light is in spiritual darkness.  Recently I came across an interesting statistic released by the Barna group regarding American Christians and Bible reading.  The study showed that 61% of Americans, who claim that their religious beliefs play a great role in their life, have read their Bible through.  http://www.biblesociety.org.au/news/one-in-five-americans-have-read-the-bible-cover-to-cover-and-thats-not-just-christians

This was startling to me because based upon the society I see each day I thought the number would be much lower.  My thought is that if Americans are reading the Bible as these studies show they are, (and I understand number can certainly be skewed) then why is our country so Biblically illiterate in our lifestyles? 

The fault does not lie in the door way of our government, schools or places of higher learning it lies in the doorway of our churches and Christian homes.  Americans Christians have become enamored with the status quo.  We want to be accepted so much and do not want to be different from the society that we live in.  But we are to be "Salt and Light" in our generation.    1Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"

I understand this is not popular in society today even among Christians but ask yourself this question, "What Biblical sacrifice have I made for Christ lately?"  Lets face it we as a generation are using the Bible to make excuses for sin in our lives and though we are reading the Bible we are not obeying the Bible, we are not, "...walking in the light as He is in the Light...". 

So the issue is not reading the Bible, it is believing the Bible.  If we are spending time musing and meditating upon Gods word then it will change our lives.  It is different from any biography or text book we may read, it is the Word of God.  (Heb. 4:12)  May we determine to not simply have a head knowledge of the Word of God but a heart knowledge (Prov. 4:23) that will change us from the inside out.

Family Ties

Growing up in a home centered upon Christ and Christian principles was one of the greatest blessings I could ever imagine.  I am the man I am today because of the rearing of my mother and father. 

Today's family is vastly different from the families of days gone by.  I understand generations change.  My generation was looked at by previous generations and frowned upon.  The very make up of the family has changed.  The Supreme Court is now deciding what a true "family" will be defined as.  We are seeing our society change its concept and ideas of family right before our very eyes. 

God has established a pattern for the home, He established it in the first three chapters of the book of Genesis and He never changed it.  Mankind changed it, we skewed and tainted what God created in perfection but He has always held to the same pattern. 

In our services for the next four months we will be talking about the family and the ties that bind our families together.  The one constant in our homes has to be the teaching of the Word of God with parents following the teachings of Gods word as well.  The reason we are loosing the next generation is because we, as parents, are sometimes one way on Sunday, and a completely different way the rest of the week.  Our children never see us pray, they never hear us read the Bible, they never see us praise God for what he has done.  They only see us mummer and complain and drudge through our week.  The problem could be summed up like this, unfortunatly, "Church is just something we DO, it is not who we ARE."  Christ is more concerned with me being like him than He is me just attending a service.   

As we enter into this week I want you to read with Rebecca and I as we study through these passages of scripture with our children. Let us all strengthen the Family Ties that God has given for us in His Word. 

Monday- Begin by spending time thanking God for what He has done.  Go around to each family member and have them write down things they are thankful for.  Post it in a predominate place in your home and look at it through the week.  Add to it as the days go by. 
Reading and Meditation: James 3

Tuesday- Begin by spending time talking about what God is working in your life areas of strength and weakness.  It may be difficult at first but see how the Lord opens your heart of your family.
Reading and Meditation: Proverbs 25:28

Wednesday- Mid week service at 7:00

Thursday-Friday - Camp meeting at Camp Victory.  Bring your family for a great time. 

Let us all Remember

One of the greatest gifts that God has given us is the ability to remember.  It often is a double edged sword because it can bring us pleasurable memories as well as painful ones.  Depending on your view of life one either dwells upon the good or bad in life. 

This weekend we are celebrating Memorial Day.  A time to remember loved ones gone on before, those who have paved the way for our freedom with their lives and to honor them in many different ways.  As a preacher I continue to have freedom of speech today because of the lives of patriots gone on before. 

So, this weekend let us all remember those who have given us the gift of freedom.  May we honor them as we should and as they deserve, but let us not fall into the trap of only remembering on this special holiday.  May we do it with each gospel tract we pass out. With each door that we knock upon to tell the dwellers there that there was one who paid the ultimate price for not only their freedom but for the deliverance from eternal punishment.  The greatest memorial is the cross of Calvary.  And Jesus is the greatest gift that has ever been given. 

As a former president so eloquently stated, "Freedom is not Americas gift to this world, freedom is Gods gift to all mankind." 
Because of Christ we are free.  Let us remember Him and Honor Him this weekend and every day of our lives.