Are you Loving your family to the Lord?

Be encouraged by this reminder to daily choose to love and extend Christ’s grace, patience, forgiveness, grace and mercy, to everyone – and be sure to start with your family members.

One evening, after a long day at work, David came home tired and frustrated. The house was noisy, the dishes were still in the sink, and his children were arguing over a toy. He felt like walking away to be alone.

As he reached for the doorknob to leave the room, he noticed a small piece of paper on the refrigerator. It was a Bible verse his wife had written: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

David paused. He realized that strong families are not built by perfect people but by faithful people who choose love, patience, and forgiveness every day.

Instead of raising his voice, he knelt beside his children and helped them settle their disagreement. He hugged his wife, thanked her for preparing dinner despite her own busy day, and suggested they pray together before eating.

That simple prayer changed the atmosphere in their home. The problems did not disappear overnight, but their hearts became united. Day by day, they made small choices to honor God – reading Scripture together, praying before bed, encouraging one another, and forgiving quickly.

Months later, their home was still filled with challenges, but it was also filled with peace. Friends noticed the difference and often asked what had changed.

David would smile and say, “We learned that a strong family isn’t built in a single day. It’s built one day at a time, with Jesus at the center.”

Reflection

Strong families are not the result of perfect circumstances. They are built through daily acts of love, prayer, forgiveness, and faithfulness. Every kind word, every prayer, and every act of grace strengthens the foundation of the home.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of family. Help us to love one another with patience, forgive as You have forgiven us, and make our home a place where Your peace and love are seen every day. Strengthen our family, one day at a time, as we follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We are tempted to be patient with acquaintances and strangers, but less so with those closest to us. But we must daily choose to represent Christ well to our family members, particularly our children. At times being a parent can be the hardest job in the world. But it is also the most important one, the one with the greatest potential impact. Mom and Dad, you are not just sharing space in a home with your child, you have been called to raise them for the Lord.

The Shema is the central declaration of faith in Judaism and was to be recited twice daily – morning and evening. It begins with Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” The passage continues with verses 6-7, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” The Apostle Paul is very emphatic in Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Parents, whatever age your child is (younger or older), point him or her to the Lord. With His help, let’s build strong families.

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This Sunday, July 19, we will continue our series, “Home Improvement,” at the 10:35am worship service with “Building Strong Families – One Day at a Time” (Joshua 24:14-15; Psalm 103:17). Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us!

Aloha and Aloha ke Akua!