BUILDING A FLOURISHING HOME

Being Christian does not exempt our families from trouble or conflict. In fact, we share many of the same attacks and storms that the world faces. The difference is that we must not neglect God’s principles for our families.

As much as God is interested in marriage, He is also interested in families, and it is directly from Him that the family is derived (Eph 3:14-15). He created us in His image, to have dominion, and be as He is; to be the best. It is God’s wisdom that builds a family and through understanding it is established (Pro 24:3-4). Today, family is defined as a group of parents (or near relative) and children, or a group of living things or languages with common characteristics and a common source.

God has given us one of His greatest resources and that is the family. It is a place that provides acceptance, encouragement, guidance and counsel and it can be thought of as a mini nation, where you have a king – the husband, a queen – the wife and princes and princesses (sons and daughters). The strength of that nation is in direct proportion to the strength of that family unit. When the family operates without God it can never experience the spiritual bond that He brings to relationships. We belong to God and He has appointed you in your family. You are not a member of your family by accident (Ps 68:5-6).

There are families living together like tenants, in a house that is not a home. They come to church, clap and shout and then when they step into their car there is silence. That is not God’s plan for you! We see this in His Word in Luke 6:49. God wants your home to be built on Him; He wants your home to have a solid foundation. He wants your house to be standing through and after the storms. It does not matter whether you are married, or single; you still need to build your home for God.

GOD’S ORDER

God instituted the family and performed the first wedding ceremony in the Garden of Eden. This marriage relationship is the cornerstone of every family. That is why satan regards marriage and the home as his greatest battle ground. He knows that the easiest way to destroy churches and society is through the home. This is why he attacks marriages and attempts to weaken and tear the family unit apart. It is our duty therefore as Christians, to be diligent in standing against his intrusions (1 Pet 5:8).

IS THERE A FAMILY IN YOUR HOUSE?

God has to be the architect of your family, it says so in the Bible in Psalm 127:1 Storms will come but the home built on the Rock will stand. Shut the door to the devil in your homes by determining to live in harmony. We must have the power of God in our homes, marriages and families.

Rise now and strengthen your family. If your walls are broken down and the gates are burned, turn to God – you can rebuild the broken-down foundation. What the devil has taken can be restored. If the enemy has come in, he can be driven out. If children have been lost, they can be prayed back into the Kingdom of God. God will put things back together again. Make God your priority and let Him do the building of your home.

WHAT IS A HOME?

A home is not a house; a home is the result of the people who live within it.

The Christian home is a place…

• Where love dwells
• It is a place of worship
• It is a place of instruction
• It is a place of unity
• It is a place of forgiveness and forbearance
• It is a place of duties
• It is a place of rejoicing

TIPS FOR BUILDING A FLOURISHING HOME

It takes wisdom to have a good family and it takes understanding to make it strong (Prov 24.3) NCV

• Create time for daily family prayers and tailor this to meet your needs.
• Have regular family time together and learn to listen to each other’s views.
• Set parameters for the sort of language that is used in your home.
• Get involved in your children’s lives, starting with their academic and spiritual well-being. Encourage goal setting and reviews, children are never too young. Parents should set boundaries based on core values and biblical principles. E.g. the time spent watching TV, using the internet appropriately and curfews. Discipline should be with one voice to avoid mixed messages.
• Do not correct your spouse in front of your children.
• Encourage your children not to borrow or swap personal items, so that you can monitor what is brought into your home.
• Encourage your children to have academic and spiritual mentors who you approve of. If you have more than one child, make.
• them accountable to each other. No child should be allowed to run the home.
• Express affection consistently towards your family.

This article is based on the message:– Is there a Family in your House (2004) by Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo.

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