THE FAMILY

DAILY MANNA, SUNDAY DECEMBER 24, 2017

GOD AND THE FAMILY
TEXT: Ephesians 6: 1-9
KEY VERSE: "Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free" (Ephesians 6:8).

If society rests on the family, it follows without any shred of dissent that the society is the aggregate of all those who make up the family. So, society is the coming together of family units. Turn in God-fearing families in the society and you will have a godly nation, a god-loving community and god-honouring neighborhood. The incontrovertible conclusion therefore, is that to address the moral laxity in any society, man must set the rules of the game according to the terms and conditions of God who created the family.
God presents these valuable guidelines through Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesian brethren. Children must obey and honour their parents. There are 2 reasons: it is the right thing to do and also the first commandment that came with a promise that it would be well with such obedient children and that they would live long.
Fathers and mothers are also solemnly enjoined not to provoke their children to anger. Father, these young ones must be trained and counseled in the way of the Lord for the fulfilment of God's word in Isaiah 54:13: "And all thy children must be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Masters and servants are also captured in the picture of the blessed home under God's watch. Both are to show reciprocal respect in the way they relate to each other. The master, realizing he has a Master in heaven, must not threaten while the servant must offer service "as unto Christ", with Whom there is " no respect of persons".
The present world is bereft of these virtues because it has failed to bow to the laws of God which are grounded on the salvation brought by Jesus Christ. It is only when man, beginning with the constituents of the family, returns to His laws that we can enjoy peace in the society.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Troubled man needs the comfort of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

The Bible in 1 year: Proverbs 9-11.

PONDER:

1. The satanic hammer is already doing havoc against homes in the world, starting from the West where it is a taboo to obey this text. No wonder morality has collapsed. Can you ponder on evidences to support this truth?
2. The next target of this attack on families is the Christian homes which suppose to be the ground and pillar of truth. Everyone in the Church must be committed to playing his/her part without waiting for any or else...

HYMN: God give us christian homes

1. God give us Christian homes!
   Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
   Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
   Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
   God give us Christian homes;
   God give us Christian homes!

2. God give us Christian homes!
   Homes where the father is true and strong,
   Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
   Homes that are joyous with love and song;
   God give us Christian homes;
   God give us Christian homes!

3. God give us Christian homes!
   Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
   Strives to show others Your way is best,
   Homes where the Lord is an honored guest;
   God give us Christian homes;
   God give us Christian homes!

4. God give us Christian homes!
   Homes where the children are led to know
   Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
   Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
   God give us Christian homes;
   God give us Christian homes!

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Consecrate and ask for grace from God to play your own part religiously so that Satan will not succeed in your family.
2. Pray for homes in your local church that Jesus has been given exit doors that those families will open their doors for Jesus to live an reign.
3. Pray for broken families, unconverted children of church members for divine visitation.
4. Identify families with peculiar challenges in the church and pray that they will experience divine touch during the retreat.