Sunday, September 30, 2007
Family Harmony

Family Harmony, one of the blessings which many people seek in their family. I will never forget this night when I actually talk to my dad about family harmony. I was led by the Holy Spirit to just talk to my dad about changing the atmosphere of the family and it wasn't easy at the start because I don't usually talk to my father this stuff. I guess God wanted us to change the way we were living.

I talked to him about lots of things and I told him personally that I wanted to honour him and be obedient to him. I was glad that I could talk to my father about what was God's plan for me as well as the issues in my life. I thank God that my relationship with my dad has been drawn closer and we both agreed that we to do something to save our relatives who has not come to know the Lord yet. I believe God is going to change the lives of my family as well as the people around us.

Anyways, I learnt much about family harmony from Pastor Richard today. I guess he did put in a great effort in connecting with the youths through his message. There are 3 points that we must look into to achieve family harmony.

1. Wives & Husbands
- What must they do to receive the blessing of family harmony?They must switch on their mind to submit & love.
For the wives, it is said in Col 3:18 'wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.'
Indeed, submission is something that comes from the God and you just have to trust in God for this. For it is really not by your might nor by your power, but by His spirit there you are able to do it.
For the husbands, it is said in Col 3:19 'Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.'
It is hard for you to love your wife without experiencing the love of God. We need to have sacrificial love towards them. So let us love our wives just as Christ love the church.

Pastor said there were 3 basic reasons why men fail to love
a)Our Passivity at Home
-The family look upon the husband as the decision maker as well as the head of the family. Hence it is the husband's role to listen to the family, make decisions and make sure that it is done.
b)Our Private Caves
- Sometimes in the heat of a quarrel, men might just retreat into their so-called 'private caves' as they just can't be bothered with the problem or they want to feign ignorance. That shouldn't be the case, for ignorance is not a bliss.
c)Our Insensitivity
-It's quite straight forward, husbands can be insensitive to their wives sometimes. It can be insensitivity towards problems or towards communication in their love languages.
I believe that there is much to learn from this so that when that day comes, by faith I will know how to love my future partner. Besides that, I know that the Holy Spirit will always be there to guide me even through my marriage.

2.Children & Parents
- Many of us might be able to relate to this point better. Parents and children must turn on their emotions to obey and encourage.
As children, we have to discipline ourselves for in Col 3:20 it says ' Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord'. Hence, let us obey our parents in everything except for things which involve sins and things which displeases the Lord. For we cannot bring hope to the generations to come if we are disobedient to our parents. We are accountable to our parents for they are the guardians of the house.
As for parents, the bible specifically focuses on the fathers. In the following verse in Col 3:21, it is written 'Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discourage.'
Do not embitter your children, in other words it means do provoke your children to anger.
There are 4 things which will provoke children to anger.
A. Living in the past
-Parents should not keep using the past as an example or their children will get irritated by them.
B. Over-controlling
-Parents do need to use the rod at times, but we should not over-do it.
C. Under-controlling
-Parents should not be too easy on their children or they will lack discipline. In other words, they become 'spoilt brats'.
D. Living an inconsistent life
-Parents should ask themselves what are they showing to their children through their actions, for their children will pick up everything they learn. This means that their children will pick up their characteristics as well as personality. So do bear in mind that you reap what you sow.

3. Families & God
God will indeed act on His will to remember and to restore. For God is committed to bless your family with harmony by turning the hearts of the
A. Families to God, the Father
B. Fathers to the children
C. Children to the Fathers.

From this 3 main points, it is easy to conclude that for us to receive the blessing of family harmony, it is essential for us to have God in our lives, in our families. Now then, would you invite God into your family and your life as of today?

Labels: Devotion