WHAT ABOUT YOUR HOUSEHOLD? – Tuesday July 18th 2017
Memorise: One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 1st Timothy 3:4
21:8 And
the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto
Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which
was one of the seven; and abode with him.
21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 12:13, Ezekiel 10:20-11:13, Hymn: Sing hymn 16
MESSAGE:
Philip
was a church planter, obedient, submissive to authority, had a servant
spirit and was a man of good report.
Beyond these, another valuable
trait he had which made God use him mightily for signs and wonders is
the fact that he was a man of total commitment to God. Philip served
God, but it did not end with him alone; he ensured that his family
members followed the same godly path. Like Joshua who declared to the
children of Israel that he and his household had decided to follow the
Lord alone (Joshua 24:15),
Philip decided in a determined way that everyone in his household would
serve God. In our Bible reading, we are told that he had four virgin
daughters, who were all saved, filled with the Holy Spirit and operated
in the gift of prophecy. This clearly shows us that he led his household
in the way of the Lord. It also means that he was a good role model to
his children. They saw how real the Christian faith was in the life of
their father and they desired it. Do your children follow the Christ you
claim to follow? Are you a good role model for them? Does your life
attract them to become true children of God?
Joshua in Joshua 24:15 said,
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Contrary
to this stance, it is very unfortunate that today, some parents make
excuses for the lukewarmness or even godlessness exhibited by their
children and wards. Such parents may say, “Sir, you don’t understand; my
children are now in the university.” Are they implying that children in
the university should not obey their parents anymore, or that such
children are incapable of doing God’s will? Some will even say, “We
believe that when it comes to the issue of faith, it should be
voluntary.” Is it right if your children voluntarily go to hell? No way!
No child should be left to take such a foolish decision! It is your
duty to instruct your household after you in the way of the Lord. My
biological children, who are now adults, can testify to how I raised
them up. None of them dared to come late for morning devotion. If you
were late, you would remain standing or be spanked. Joshua commanded his
family to serve the Lord. No wonder he was able to command the sun to
stand still and it did. If you can instruct your household to genuinely
serve God, you will be able to command what God created, and they will
obey you. Who is in charge of your home: you or your children?
Key point:
If you raise your children well to follow and serve the Lord, He will reward you, but if you don’t, He will judge you.
Open
Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the
largest evangelical Church in the world and also the President of Christ
the Redeemer's Ministries.
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