Word for the day “The Lord values family”
Colossians 3:18-21(NKJV) Wives, be subject to your husbands, Husbands, love your wives, Fathers, do not exasperate your children.
Beloved leaders,
I felt compelled to remind you today, whatever your leadership role is and wherever you serve in ministry or the marketplace. Your family matters to God, and it’s our responsibility to place the highest premium on our families.
THE LORD PLACES HIGH VALUE ON THE FAMILY UNIT.
God works in our lives primarily through committed relationships. Your family is the primary school for your character development. This is precisely the order of Scripture: Establish your identity in Christ, then focus on living out who you are at home. Notice the order in (Colossians 3:10-25). How are things in your family life? God’s great goal for His children is that we conform to His image “Put on the new self” (verse 10).
Our identity is no longer in racial, religious, cultural, or social ties. “There is no distinction, but Christ is all and in all” (verse 11). Character is the focus of development once identity is established. “Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (verse 12). Family is something altogether distinct in the Lord’s purposes. It is not just another “clique” you can belong to; it is God’s foundational institution, one which He began with the first human beings. His original creation and plan included ties not meant to be severed, and its base was covenant instead of emotion (Genesis 2:18).
THE PURPOSE OF THE FAMILY GIVES LIFE AND LOVE TO OUR WORLD.
The primary function of the family is to ensure the continuation of society, both biologically through procreation, and socially through socialization. Given these functions, the nature of one's role in the family changes over time. God really does have an amazing plan for you and your family. Character is developed in the context of relational living. “Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other” (verse 13). Love is the highest level of character development. “Beyond all these things put on love” (verse 14).
The means by which all this is accomplished is Christ in you, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. The plan and purpose of the family are to prepare every individual for a creative and spirit-filled life. In coming to know who we are in the family; we are better able to give ourselves in loving service to others in the world at large.
POINT TO PONDER
As a parent, you are not just shaping your child’s behavior, you are developing her/his character. Training a child means disciplining her/him to be Christ-like. Don’t be a phony at home; your spouse and children will see right through it. You can’t model perfection, but you can model growth and amazing love. If we ever needed the influence of the plan of God for our families, we sure do need it now!
Prayer: Lord, help us be the spouses and parents You want us to be by remaining committed to being a growing child of God, In Christ's name Amen.
Special thanks!
James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of November 2022, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Angela Battle, Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mrs. Shakeema Lowe, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Mr. Kevin Byfield, Ms. Shawna Chester, Ms. Jennifer Sanchez, Mr. William Wilson, Mr. William Buchanan, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,