You're like the lyrics to my favorite song. You stick with me all day long. And when I reach the end I wanna hear it again.

TobyMac




HOMES ARE LIKE A FAVORITE SONG

COME INSIDE


The sign over the door tells us it is God's house
and perhaps flowers live inside. The natural wood exterior, orange door,
pet door, white trim, and clear windows also reflect a love for nature,
bright colors,  and sunlight.  A place for rest, refreshment, and love.

As we consider 2024, may God help us to use our living spaces well
and to find new ways to spend more time together.



LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT

      U.s. HOUSEHOLDS 




which household unit

Best pictures

you ?



Household may seem like a strange word but its meaning is broader than family. Household is actually a biblical word which reflects a stewardship perspective throughout a lifetime. Getting one's own first living space is a big thing.  Census data shares household models which include families, blended families, shared housing, group homes, boarding houses, and single room occupancy. Three of the pictures above have children, Two do not.



children, 

blessing, Opportunity,  or burden ?


If you grew up in a godly family with love and parents who helped you experience that love, then you may look forward to having children of your own.  If you experienced family trauma from parental abuse, divorce, or absence, you may view such responsibility as more than you want to handle. Such experiences may negatively impact your feelings toward marriage and welcoming the birth of children.  Some young married couples today refuse the label of "childless" and proudly sport the label "child free".

Unplanned pregnancies can bring a mix of positive and negative emotions. Will raising a child be as difficult as a couple might first imagine? Perhaps adoption should be considered before either demand an abortion. Unexpected joys, personal growth, and resilience may surprise the couple who admit their struggle and reach out for support. This is much more than a choice for a moment in time and because we are complicated beings, our spiritual side may cause us to remember with regret or thoughts of what might have been.

Godly couples, parents, and grandparents,  are more frequently challenging cultural views about children, especially those taught in our schools and enforced in our courts. Children are not just the product of evolution or unprotected sex. Easy divorce, failure to pay child support, and violence have led the government to intervene in families, resetting boundaries, some of which compromise parental rights. Despite this involvement, people of faith continue to believe "that children are a gift, and an heritage from the Lord" (Psalm 127:3). These parents look forward to raising children and see them as good seed, a planting of the Lord,  that will bring forth a harvest of righteousness.


the need

for godly

households


If you think of family as parents being stewards of their lives and the children they are given; earthly parents begin our care physically. When we get sick they take us to a doctor. They do well to provide for us physically, but need Jesus to help care for their children's spiritual needs.  They miss this care if their parents or others don't teach them about Jesus. He loves children and wants them to have life; a life that makes them fit for heaven, a life guided by love, renewed minds, and willing spirits. "Jesus replied, Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching, My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them" (John 14:23).


the church

is  god's
household


Parents who know Jesus will raise their children as members of God's family. They promise before God and the Church to teach their covenant children the ways of faith and to learn to love, know, and serve the God who gave them life. The Holy Spirit enables children to understand and receive the gospel which speaks daily healing for their weaknesses, failures, and sins. This "salvation", as our parents came to know it, is not just a decision to join a church or a desire to become more spiritual. God views our being yoked with Jesus as a life-long communion with him. Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Mt. 11:28-30).


god's church teaches

"in Christ" living




When we receive Jesus into our lives, we become His. We are adopted into the
family of God. Our bodies are declared "temples" of the Holy Spirit and his work sanctifies or makes us holy as we learn to follow his guidance into all truth.  Then our households become places of His love and grace as we live for God, for one another, and for His Kingdom.


Jesus grew up

in a godly

household




 
Mary and the members of her family depended upon carpentry toil for their livelihood before and after Joseph's death. Jesus was considered the eldest son. He was careful to follow Joseph's training and example. He helped steward their household like Joseph had. So as they worked together, he taught them both in the shop and by regular attendance at the synagogue. Jesus was known in the synagogue for his understanding and teachings from the books of Moses, the Psalms, and the prophetic Scriptures.


God placed Jesus in this household. His faithfulness in the carpenter's shop was shown in the quality of the tables, chairs, and farm yokes they made. G. Campbell Morgan asserts that this was a significant part of pleasing his heavenly Father and preparing for his cross work. God's family is brought together in peace through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. That is why taking communion and remembering our Savior, as His blood bought family, is so important.

During one of their yearly trips to Jerusalem for Passover, Mary and Joseph left to return to Nazareth not realizing that Jesus, who was twelve, was not with them. This troubled them and they returned to Jerusalem. "After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers."  When asked 'why' by his mother, Jesus replied, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" Though Mary did not understand this reply at the time, " she treasured up all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:41-52).

We hope our children, like Jesus, will want to be in their Father's house. The blessings of the Father come through receiving God's Word. The Holy Spirit helped Jesus to increase in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. Like Jesus, our children are not lost when they are found in our Father's house. It is good for them to listen, to ask questions, to understand the Scriptures, and to find God's answers and will for their lives.  Little is said in the gospels about family interaction so when answering the question, "who are your mother or brother or sister?", Jesus answered,"Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:32-35). 



becoming

skillful workers



Children are encouraged to follow Jesus' example in submitting to training and
necessary preparation for a period of years. They are encouraged not to abbreviate this time. God honors the development of biblical knowledge, trades, and skills. Much is learned in the sharing of daily household chores and communications. All of these reflect love and please their heavenly Father just as Jesus did in honoring his earthly parents. Honest work and stewarding one's talents and gifts helps children with identifying their abilities and spiritual gifts. Skills learned in godly homes can lead to fruitful service in the church and community.  Such knowledge  may lead them to vocational and career choices. These skills also come in handy to pay the costs of trainings, during times when adult workplace income is lean, when jobs are lost, or when relocation becomes necessary.





jesus  shows us

his father



Jesus began public ministry at age 30, spent time in prayer each day seeking His Father's will, and was led by the Holy Spirit in all his contacts with men. He spoke of doing the works of his Father in heaven (John 4:34) and said,  "I always do those things that please the Father" John 8:29. We believe that in looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we see the glory of our heavenly Father. Jesus answered Philip, "if you have seen me, you have seen the Father",  John 14:9. Through Jesus eyes, his touch, his words, and his deeds,  we come to know and believe the Father and the Holy Spirit. May we, like Jesus, always live in sweet communion with the Father .

Jesus taught the truths of the gospel which is God's plan of redemption through his beloved Son. Jesus took on flesh (virgin birth), lived a sinless life, died a cruel death on a cross, and rose from among the dead on the third day, just as he said. His life, his substitutionary death, and his resurrection invite us to place our faith in him as our Savior and know one day he will bring us to God. Jesus said, "All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out" John 6:37. 


 
 god's church "IN CHRIST"


our  heavenly

family




Have you come

to Christ

for adoption ?



His Good News is that we can be adopted into God's Family and have our sins forgiven.  As we receive God's forgiveness, we are given strength to turn from sin and follow Jesus like His apostles and the early Church did. Has the Holy Spirit led you to receive Christ's sacrifice (atonement) for your sins?  Have you believed that Jesus truly is the way, the truth, and the life? Have you received Him? 



is psalm 23

your testimony?



 joining

the Household

of Faith


Ask God to save you.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved,
  and thine house." Acts 16:32 






hope  for

those who've had

setbacks &conflicts



You may have had good teaching as you grew up, but failed to sow good things. Conflicts separate us from God and his Holy Spirit, who enables us to surrender to God and trust His will for our lives. We can easily live our lives without God. That is how things are in this world. But finding the humility and courage to face those conflicts comes through Christ and his Holy Spirit. May we find the strength to repent and follow Him daily.



Some children and young adults who are raised in Christian families experience confusion and doubts about their faith when they leave home, when they face antagonistic views in college, when they stop going to church, when they date or marry an an unbeliever, or when personal sin separates them from God. The testing of one's faith can have a beneficial effect when one is able to honestly share with another Christian brother or sister what is happening in their life. Parents and grandparents can also offer prayer and support during these difficult periods of life. If this has happened to you, please ask God for courage to share what's happening in your life. Don't avoid your family or your church during this difficult time. God can bring you home.




his church

gathers as one

in  Christ



His Church is where the love is. AS we become members of His Body, we grow "in Christ" by our connection with other believers. Without this contact, we don't get the spiritual food or prayer support we need. Alone we may easily fall, but together we stand. That is what is meant by our seeing the day of Christ approaching. We need to be prepared and looking for Christ's return, together. Remember in the parable of the ten virgins, five were unprepared and anxious, and five were together, excited, and expectantly waiting.




  •  have you

    received the

    help you

    need ?






We don't claim to be perfect, just forgiven. He keeps us and makes us faithful. If we could pray for you or search the Scriptures for His help for you, where you are right now, and day by day going forward, please take the time to reach out to us. We count it a privilege to be here for you.