HOW TO ALLOW JESUS REIGN IN YOUR HOME
Introduction
Introduction
The first love of every Believer is toward God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. If you get it right from the top, then you are sure to get it right at home. Though God expects us to love our spouses, parents, children as ourselves, which many people actually do, but the first spot belongs to God, not spouse or children.
You will be able to love everyone around you, when you first, love the Lord your God, with all your heart, soul and strength. It is the love of God in you that propels your sacrificial love for family, brethren, and others. and God must have the first place if we hope to enter into eternal rest.
You will be able to love everyone around you, when you first, love the Lord your God, with all your heart, soul and strength. It is the love of God in you that propels your sacrificial love for family, brethren, and others. and God must have the first place if we hope to enter into eternal rest.
This message is being aimed at Christian families and homes, to remind them of their first love - which is to love the Lord as Jesus told us in Luke 10:27: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Sometimes, believers and born-again couples forget to put Christ first, and this is ignorance. We seek the ways of the world (riches, fame, and power) and bring worldly wisdom and smartness into our homes to guide us in marriage. We talk and walk like the world around us, while we are called to be separate from them. No wonder, we face the same problem they are facing, though we are born again Christians. Let it be made clear, that without putting Christ first, in our lives and the things we say and actions we take, no Christian marriage can enjoy the peace and joy that the Lord gives to His elect.
Glorifying God in our marriages
To glorify the Lord in our marriage is to put Him at the center of decisions at home. A Christ-centered home will consider what the word of God says and practice it at home. In a Christ-centered home, children will be taught the word of God and allowed to practise them. The children will learn a lot of the bible from their parents and during studies at home.
Many couples do not realize that glorifying God in their marriage is putting Christ first and making the word of God the standard in the home. A marriage between a husband and wife is not about them alone, God is involved. So, every decision should consider the God factor, and let the Word be their guide.
It is difficult for anyone to say he is matured when he or she is not yet married. This is because marriage brings its own challenges, which tests our faith in God and how we resolve these challenges will attest to our maturity in faith and even in life. The Lord wants us to serve Him in diverse circumstances and excel relying on Him and not our own power or wisdom. So, Christian marriage is another level of growth and development in life.
Before marriage, it was you alone and God, but after marriage, it becomes you and God, your husband/wife, and the children. God is looking to see if you will still be fervent in prayers and fellowship, in worshiping Him, in obeying His word trusting in Him. God is looking to see how you will advance in the things of the spirit, in the church and outside the church. He is looking to see how many souls you will win to Him, the ones you will help and support. He is looking to see how you will handle difficult tests of faith, temptations and so on.
Do you know that if anyone loves parents, spouse or children more than Jesus Christ, such a person is not worthy of the Kingdom? - Mathew 10:37-39. Parents and loved ones are considered to be part of us, which is true. Take for instance a son and his father or mother and her daughter. The tie is so strong because of the blood. But Jesus is saying here that for the sake of eternity in heaven, He, the Lord comes first.
Marriage without Christ
A marriage without Christ will end up in chaos. Human beings are proud and always want the freedom to do whatever pleases them. As it is for the man, so it is for the woman, and so when the Word of God is placed behind them, there will be chaos. This is why there is so much confusion in today's marriage. The woman thinks she is as good as the man and will not necessary submit to him, especially the working-class women.
When we ignore God's plan, we end up frustrated, trying to control our lives on our own. The focus in our marriage can become a form of, "if you scratch my back I will scratch yours." It's like we have an unwritten contract where each spouse maintains a list at the back of their mind, hoping their spouse will perform. Yet this only leads to anger, bitterness, and frustration. When expectations are not met, conflict and confusion sets in.
The plan of God is for our marriages to be a little church and house of God, where His word is above all, obeyed and applied by all the members of the family. A place where the children learn about God and how to honor, praise and serve Him in truth and spirit. God wants parents to show their children how to live for Christ. A Christian marriage is a place where the husband and his wife submits themselves to Christ and seek after God's purpose, serving him in prayers and fasting daily...that He will be done.
Without any controversy, Christ is the head of the husband, and the husband is the head of the wife. The wife then submits to her husband, who is called to lead and serve his wife while he simultaneously submits to Christ. Couples who are careful to follow these biblical arrangements end up being happy and fulfilled in life and their children will give them joy as well.
This is the challenge of many marriages today. To give Jesus Christ the first place in their lives and marriages. He is the Prince of peace, the Head of the church, Door to eternity, without Him, there is no eternity in heaven for anybody. Without Him, your prayers will NEVER be answered anyway, for we pray to God in His name.
Jesus warns that:
1. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me IS NOT WORTHY OF ME.
2. And he that taketh not his cross (His problems and troubles) and followeth after me, IS NOT WORTH OF ME.
3. And he that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. This can be simply illustrated thus: - People who deny Christ in times of religious persecution and danger in order to save their lives will eventually lose it and go to hell, but people who are not ashamed of Christ, who re-affirm their faith and belief in Christ in such circumstance, even if they are killed by sword will eventually go to heaven.
This is the same as saying "Whosoever loves himself more than Me is not worthy of Me"
Understand that
1. The gospel we preach and hear is the gospel of Jesus Christ and He is the topic from Genesis to Revelation,
2. He is our Redeemer, our righteousness and Hope
3. He is God personified – The God we saw physically and knew and when you see Him, you have seen God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
4. He is the way to heaven and whatever He says is important for all that want to enjoy eternity with God.
This is one of the problems our Saviour saw and warned us to guide against. God must come first in all things. God is not a man and if we have a duty to respect honor and regard our earthly father, how much more our heavenly Father
Who is Jesus Christ?
Brethren, our Master JESUS CHRIST is our connection to heaven, without Him in your life, there is no heaven for you and for that reason, everything He says is important for living and eternity. This is why we are considering another of His statements that many ignore or treat lightly.
He loved us even before we were born and came to the world some 2000 years ago and died for our sins and Redeemed us with His blood, shed at the cross of calvary.
His death at the cross purchased our good health, prosperity, and success, and so when you want to experience prosperity and live in good health, all you need is Jesus living inside of you. Some of you think that Jesus just died to save and deliver you from the devil, but He did more than that:
He is the Way, the only way to God and eternity who came to reconcile us to God. This means that if you are not on His boat, there is no eternity for you. He is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep and His pasture.
He is the only begotten Son of God, that created all the earth, our great provider, with whom all things are possible and there is no impossibility, hence Apostle Paul declares "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me". All things! He is the door that leads you to heaven and there is none else.
On earth, there is darkness and light, Jesus Christ is the light; There is the good and bad ways - Remember the bad way seemeth right, but the end of it is death, Jesus is the right way!
He is the High Priest, remember He restrained Mary Magdalene from touching Him when he rose from the dead because He had not gone to the Father yet as our High Priest.
Practical steps to allow Him to reign in our homes:
The first major steps to make Christ to reign in our home is to accept Him as Lord and Saviour and allow Him to reign in our individual lives, as husband and wife. If Christ reigns in your heart, He would also reign in your home through your actions and choices. It takes commitment for this to happen, and I want to add, that it is a good way to invite peace to the house.
Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill a lot of purposes, all of which are targeted at reconciling man to God and preparing the man for eternity. This is why it is important that we accept His invitation to come to Him, then we should also be ready to follow Him throughout life, serving Him in Spirit and truth. If we can practice what we know from the scriptures in our homes, the home will be Christ-centered and peaceful.
Some of them include:
1. Family Devotion - Daily
2. Family Praise and worship - Weekly
3. Family Prayer time - Weekly
4. Be there for your family - Your children regard your very presence as a sign of caring, and you should find time to stay with them, especially when they are growing up. Keep in mind your duty towards them is to bring them up in godly ways, help them to know God and understand the Word of God and what it says. What they should do and what they should not do. If you are able to observe this family devotion, praise and prayer days weekly for years, they will be greatly encouraged in the Lord, and God says, when they grow up, they would not depart.
5. Make out time for the Children - Be available to talk with them, help them, attend their events, and cheer them on in their various pursuits. Do not allow business and pursuit of money to keep you away from the house for too long. Money is good, but if you are not conscious of your duties to your family and children, the demand for money could send someone away for a long time, which is not good. If you have money and the children are wild and scattered at home, money cannot mend them. Their behavior will bring sadness and sorrow. This should be avoided, and parents should devote time to guide and train their children, while they are still young and growing. Be creative about how you can spend time with each of your kids one-on-one regularly, so you can know their feelings and state of mind.
6. Build strong moral values. Pray for God's help to teach biblical values and morals to your kids in ways they can best learn. This is a hard part of training the children because the children need to know the truth and abide by what is right all the time. Talk openly and honestly with your children about alcohol, and other drugs from when they're young, all the way through their teen years, answering their questions and discussing issues in age-appropriate ways. Encourage them to commit to living a lifestyle of purity, including honoring God with their bodies, renewing their minds for good, turning their eyes and ears away from what's worthless, and guarding their hearts above all else.
7. Discipline children fairly. When you clearly express expectations and consistently follow through, you'll produce responsible children. You should not be discouraged by their slowness in learning things and embracing new things and instructions. They are not yet adults. Remember that consistent discipline takes lots of time and energy. Ask God to give you the strength you need to devote the necessary time and energy rather than taking the easy way out when you're tired and having your kids fail to learn important lessons.
8. Communicate well. Positive communication is the language of love for your children. Make a habit of listening carefully to your children whenever they share their thoughts and feelings with you. Also, figure out what other ways you can best express your love for your kids in ways that each of them will receive well. Play together. There is nothing like playing to bring about family togetherness. Make time for vacations together, have fun at home, go on frequent outings, they help.
9. Love your spouse. Invest in your marriage and renew the feeling you have for each other, every now and then, so there will be peace at home. Work on your marriage regularly and invest in it through different activities, which the children can see and appreciate. From the age of seven, children can discern if there is trouble at home between their mum and dad. So, don't cover things up and hope the children do not know its there. Resolve every disagreement and other issues in love.
Conclusion
FIRE...
Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill a lot of purposes, all of which are targeted at reconciling man to God and preparing the man for eternity. This is why it is important that we accept His invitation to come to Him, then we should also be ready to follow Him throughout life, serving Him in Spirit and truth. If we can practice what we know from the scriptures in our homes, the home will be Christ-centered and peaceful.
Some of them include:
1. Family Devotion - Daily
2. Family Praise and worship - Weekly
3. Family Prayer time - Weekly
4. Be there for your family - Your children regard your very presence as a sign of caring, and you should find time to stay with them, especially when they are growing up. Keep in mind your duty towards them is to bring them up in godly ways, help them to know God and understand the Word of God and what it says. What they should do and what they should not do. If you are able to observe this family devotion, praise and prayer days weekly for years, they will be greatly encouraged in the Lord, and God says, when they grow up, they would not depart.
5. Make out time for the Children - Be available to talk with them, help them, attend their events, and cheer them on in their various pursuits. Do not allow business and pursuit of money to keep you away from the house for too long. Money is good, but if you are not conscious of your duties to your family and children, the demand for money could send someone away for a long time, which is not good. If you have money and the children are wild and scattered at home, money cannot mend them. Their behavior will bring sadness and sorrow. This should be avoided, and parents should devote time to guide and train their children, while they are still young and growing. Be creative about how you can spend time with each of your kids one-on-one regularly, so you can know their feelings and state of mind.
6. Build strong moral values. Pray for God's help to teach biblical values and morals to your kids in ways they can best learn. This is a hard part of training the children because the children need to know the truth and abide by what is right all the time. Talk openly and honestly with your children about alcohol, and other drugs from when they're young, all the way through their teen years, answering their questions and discussing issues in age-appropriate ways. Encourage them to commit to living a lifestyle of purity, including honoring God with their bodies, renewing their minds for good, turning their eyes and ears away from what's worthless, and guarding their hearts above all else.
7. Discipline children fairly. When you clearly express expectations and consistently follow through, you'll produce responsible children. You should not be discouraged by their slowness in learning things and embracing new things and instructions. They are not yet adults. Remember that consistent discipline takes lots of time and energy. Ask God to give you the strength you need to devote the necessary time and energy rather than taking the easy way out when you're tired and having your kids fail to learn important lessons.
8. Communicate well. Positive communication is the language of love for your children. Make a habit of listening carefully to your children whenever they share their thoughts and feelings with you. Also, figure out what other ways you can best express your love for your kids in ways that each of them will receive well. Play together. There is nothing like playing to bring about family togetherness. Make time for vacations together, have fun at home, go on frequent outings, they help.
9. Love your spouse. Invest in your marriage and renew the feeling you have for each other, every now and then, so there will be peace at home. Work on your marriage regularly and invest in it through different activities, which the children can see and appreciate. From the age of seven, children can discern if there is trouble at home between their mum and dad. So, don't cover things up and hope the children do not know its there. Resolve every disagreement and other issues in love.
Conclusion
The desire to love Jesus Christ and put Him first in all we do should be paramount. Apart from being a command, when we consider the love that Jesus has shown to us through His death and Resurrection, and the victory we have in Him, then we would recognize that Jesus is worthy of our all. He is worthy of our worship, praise, Love, etc.
We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Through Him, we are saved and called the children of God; and so we are 1 John 3:1). He died for us, while we were yet sinners and in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Apostle Peter speaking further in Romans 8 says "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" - Romans 8:37-39.
FIRE...
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