Honoring God in the Home

[Daily Devotional]

Honoring God in the Home 

     Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col. 3:16.  

     This is what we need in our households. There is in it no
fault-finding, no harshness; but peace, and joy, and rest in the Lord. .
. . God calls for loving service. He calls upon parents to speak
lovingly and tenderly to their children. Let them see that you think
they help you. Give them responsibilities to bear, small ones at first,
and larger ones as they grow older. Never, never, let them hear you say
of them, "They hinder me more than they help me.". . .  

     How many there are who forget that the home is a school in which
children are trained to work either for Christ or Satan. Fathers and
mothers, remember that every word you speak in the hearing of your
children has an influence upon them, an influence either for good or for
ill. Remember that if you find fault with one another you are educating
your children to find fault.  

     With your children around you, bow before the Father in heaven. Ask
Him for help to guard the trust He has given you. Let your petitions be
short and earnest. Say, "Heavenly Father, I want my children to be
saved. Grant me the aid of Thy Spirit that I may so train them that they
may be counted worthy to inherit eternal life." Train your children to
offer their simple words of prayer. Tell them that God delights to have
them call upon Him.  

     We can subdue our children only as we subdue ourselves. But there
are so many parents who have brought with them into the home life their
hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. They have not left their
childishness behind. They scold their children for things which should
never be noticed. Parents, never scold your children. Deal firmly but
kindly with them. Keep them busy. Make them feel that they are a part of
the family firm, that they can help mother and father. Thank them for
what they do for you.  

     Let your home be a place where God is loved and honored.  

>From That I May Know Him - Page 149