Word for the day "How to reach your family"?
Mark 6:4-6 (MSG) Jesus told them, “A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child.” Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. He couldn’t get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching.
The way to reach our family and friends is by being a power of example.
The most difficult people to reach for Christ are in your own family—and you will never reach them through compromise.We need to live the message we are preaching. It is tempting to give everyone a sermon. We want to preach to that unsaved husband or wife or those nonbelieving parents.But there comes a point when we have preached enough sermons. There comes a point when we need to live the sermon. We need to be the power of example in our families and friendships, are you ready?In fact, family members are often the hardest to deal with, because they’re connected to us in a much more complicated, intimate way.With difficult acquaintances like friends, colleagues, lovers, or neighbors, you may have to deal with them for a time, either until a conflict between you is resolved, or until you are able to remove yourself from the situation.With family, we are almost obligated to go the extra mile for the sake of the integrity of the family unit. In other words, personal relationships may affect the family.If you don’t get along with a family member, it may very well put stress and strain on other familial relationships as well. If you are a husband with a nonbelieving wife, then be a good husband.If you are a believing wife with a nonbelieving husband, then be a godly woman. If you are a child with nonbelieving parents, then do the things your parents ask you to do.Be responsible and practice the life in the Lord you are talking about and that will speak volumes to them. It’s time to bring the message of the Lord home!
We are all challenged when it comes to reaching our family for the Lord.
Even Jesus had a hard time reaching His siblings, and who was a better example than Jesus? He was God and was Divine in all His relationships.Yet the Bible tells us that prior to His crucifixion and resurrection, His own family did not believe in Him. So, if Jesus had a challenge reaching His family, then you will have a challenge as well.Don’t be intimidated by the challenge just be the person God has made you. Accept your family exactly as they are in the best starting point. This applies to all difficult people, not just family.It’s tempting to try to help someone you want to care about; you probably will make some efforts to help them. Accept that they are unable to change, at least at that point in time.Unless you see real change as an indication that this person is making an effort to listen and meet you halfway, you can assume that their behavior is what it has always been.It’s important to temper your expectations about what others can and want to do. Most changes take a period of time and happen in stages. Always remain optimistic and solution oriented.
Point to ponder
It is my humble opinion: no one is reached in a meaningful way through compromise. God is looking for men and women today that can be used to bring Glory to His name, men, and women who will take a stand even at home in your family!
Special thanks!
Our Leadership team is especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of September 2018 by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Quiana Volney, Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. David Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Theresa Lewis, Mother Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Barbara Mason and Ms. Gertrude Scott.Thank you for using the Word Cup devotionals brought to you through Grace and Truth Leadership. Why don’t you take the opportunity to write to us on our blog and let us know how we are doing in serving you, Great people.We are a faith-based, donor-supported ministry. If you have been touched by these daily devotionals and would like to make a monthly pledge or a special gift of any amount, please use the link below to give as the Lord leads.Follow me on Twitter @James Baker_jr as I endeavor to encourage and empower leaders of today and tomorrow!Kingdom Blessings,Pastor James Baker, Jr.