IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Mueller is traveling with his wife and mother-in-law in a Far East country. At a place of honor his mother-in-law makes a careless remark, that the native people take as an insult to the royal family. Mueller is dragged off to court with his wife and mother-in-law and are sentenced to corporal punishment. Each of them are to receive 50 lashes on the back side with a cane. But because the royal family doesn’t want to appear hostile to foreigners, they grant the guests in their country a wish beforehand, as long as it is able to be fulfilled. Mrs. Mueller is first. "What do you wish for yourself?" "I would like a pillow bound on my rear end before the lashings." "Okay, that shall be granted to you." Mrs. Mueller has the pillow bound to her rear end & receives her punishment. But because the pillow is too small and the executioner also hits her back a couple of times, she receives a few blows. Next it is Mueller’s mother-in-law’s turn. "What do you wish for yourself?" "I would like a pillow bound on my rear end and a pillow bound on my back before the lashings." "Okay, that shall be granted to you." The mother-in-law receives her fifty lashes, but hardly feels the pain through the pillows. Then comes Mueller himself. "What do you wish for yourself?" "I have 2 wishes. Do you want to fulfill them for me?" "Because you are a guest in our country, we want to fulfill your wishes for you, as long as they are reasonable." "I would like 100 lashes instead of 50." The executioner is surprised, but recovers again right away and replies, "Yes, that is a pious wish, it shall be granted to you. And what is your second wish?""I would like to have my mother-in-law tied to my back."

Today our nation suffers from a sickness of the soul because our families are weak: weak in their knowledge of God, weak in their convictions about God, weak in their experiences of God, and weak in their understanding of how to love one another. Dennis Rainey

The family is the oldest and greatest institution in society since creation. It is the vital fabric in a nation and where character is built. It's where values are shaped, developed and where foundation for life is laid. It’s the place that shapes our human personality. Family is close to God’s heart. And the Christian home provides the greatest foundation on where we can build our lives and ministry. It s been said, that as the family goes, so goes the church. And as the nation goes, so goes the world. A society that destroys the family destroys itself. If the family falls apart, society falls apart. And there is no one perfect family. Yet why is the home so important?

1. Because where we live is the real us.
2. Because successful homes require extra care.
3. Because God wants a happy home.

4. Spiritual attacks are heaviest in the home.

The enemy hates your family. But God cares for the family and loves the family. Psa. 107:41 “Makes families like a flock”. What are some of the attacks facing our families?

1. The Media

The media has a certain mindset. They think they control and play the role of god. We are constantly bombarded with crooked and perverse family sitcoms and comedy. The real truth is that what they are sending down the pipe is a joke, garbage and a family trojan horse. Designed to bring destruction by living according to their way of life, instead of scripture. I say if we can. Let's not watch those cruddy shows. See how they like that.

2. Over worked parents.

Some parents are simply too busy, that theyr'e in danger of losing their loved ones. The word is balance. Yes, in this economy, parents must work. Yet, not at the expense of losing their loved one! Many parents even work on sundays nowadays. Once in a blue moon. Fine. But as a way of life? I don't think so. What about the spiritual life of the home. And what are we teaching our kids. That's its ok to work on sundays? Please.

3. Selfishness in marriage and a thing called: Divorce.

Before marriage a couple is all goo, goo, eyed, and in love. Love is in the air. Romance is in their life. After marriage, honeymoon is on, and it is good. Then kids come. Time goes on, and for some reason they drift apart. Even to the point that they're simply room mates. Then the other stuff comes into it. All the while the children are grateful that they have their parents. Not knowing the nightmare that is about to encompass them. Yeah, you said it. The spirit of selfishness has invaded the hearts of the only leaders in their household. Its been said, that the divorce rate in the church is the same as that of the world! And that the trauma of divorce to a child is second only to death. I will speak on marriage on a different day. And yes, I have alot to say. The word in marriage is apply; Change; Unity; Love; Oh did I say? Death? Yes, death to self. Anyway, let's go on.

4. A lack of purpose for the family.

It says in Prov. 11:29 “Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air." Children learn what parents exemplify. They need guidance and our vision for our family.

If a child lives with conflict, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with fear, he learns to hold back.
If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with encouragement, He learns to be confident.
If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with praise, He learns to be appreciated.
If a child lives with acceptance, He learns to love.

To grow a godly family, 3 principles: Taken from Deut 6:1-9

I. Right Living v. 1-3
II. Right Loving v. 4-5
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

III. Right Learning v. 6
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

There's 7 things I have a beef with concerning families:

1. Kids who have no respect for parents & play them against each other.

Kids could be pretty sneaky. Yes, they are wonderful and special. They are a joy. Yet, when they can't have their way. Watch Out! They devise methods to bring drama, in order to get their way. Parents must be wary of this and have a united front, in raising their kids right. And do you want to know the truth about that? Kids want boundaries. They see that as being loved by their parents. When there's not any. Well?

2. Kids who have everything and fail to appreciate.

I came from a very poor family in a poor community. The Artesia part of Santa Ana to be exact. One of the oldest neighborhoods in OC. Many times I would come home and find the fridge empty. My mom as kids would feed us tortillas with milk. Imagine that? We had a hangar or a foil on our black and white TV set. Not to mention we had special guests in our house. You know, rats, and cockroaches. I mean, we had many conventions and group meetings with them (Just kidding). Those were the days! Today's kids. And I would say, from now to age group of 25-35, probably never experienced things as that. A word that comes to mind of today's kids is Spoiled! And that is not with all children, I know that. Yet, there is a mindset, where kids do not appreciate, (They just don't understand) because they really never have had to work for it. Its true. But, its up to us to teach them that principle.

3. Parents let their kids get away with murder.

Look if you don't have any standards, then later on they will have trouble with the law. And what better to start with the word of God!

4. Parents who just give their kids money, but not Jesus.

5. Domesticated and irresponsible men.

If our churches do not attempt to build strong responsible, spiritual men. Our households will suffer. Men are the difference makers in the home, society and the church. They are the backbone. They are the managers, the models and ministers of their homes. The picture comes to mind of the domesticated man. In the movie Napoleon Dynamite, he has brother who is weak and panzy looking. Well, that's the picture (Spiritually) of many men in our churches. Unspiritual, excuse making, church hopping and church delinquent, non caring, skirt chasing, TV remote loving men. Men! If we get it together with God. It will affect every other area of our lives. Including who really runs your household.

6. Parents not taking the time to teach their kids.

7. Singles who are too busy to work for God.

There is no reason single Christians cannot do a great work for God. The whole world is before you. Seek to go on a mission for the Lord. Join a church planting team. Take a missions trip to a foreign land. Get into training to become a small group leader. There is much to do. Look at our Lord Jesus Christ. Think about Paul the apostle. Think about all the singles in the Bible, for there are many. Be used of God. Once your married, it becomes a little more difficult to just drop things and go.

If we will make a difference in inner cities worldwide. If we are to make a impact in millions of lives. If we have our marching orders from the Lord, to go into all the world. How then can it happen if our families are in shambles. The mission is to bring about a change in our lives and families. Then go out and make it happen with the gospel of Christ. I'm not talking perfection here. There's some in Christendom, who'll say. 'Well, my family is in ruins. How can I do a work for God. My wife or husband or kids. They just have too many problems." These are the same ones who do nothing about it. They just conntinue in a frozen war. Still the same. Nothings changed. Because they refuse to change. Why? Because they at war with their own family (And God I might add). Instead of repenting, and drawing closer to God, then allowing Him to use them to their fullest ability. We need God. I need God. I am not a perfect dad. But I'm striving. And don't we all need His grace? So what is a Christian Home? Glad you asked.

This is a Christian Home
Where family prayer is daily had,
God's word is regularly read
And faith in Christ is never dead,
This is a Christian home.
Where father, mother, sister, brother,
All have true love for one another,
And none ever hates the other,
This is a Christian home.
Where family quarrels are pushed aside,
to let the love of God abide,
ere darkness falls at eventide, even at falls darkness
This is a Christian home.
Where Jesus Christ is host and guest,
Through whom we have eternal rest
And In Him are forever blest,
This is a Christian Home.

Leave comments if you'd like. I will respond. Have another great week!