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GOD MUST BE THE CENTER OF THE HOME I recently read that: “Judge Joseph Sabbath, after twenty year’s experience in presiding over what he called ‘the nightmare world of the divorce courts,’ formed ten commandments of a successful marriage which, he predicted, could prevent at least ninety per cent of marital smashups: 1. Bear and forebear. 2. Work together, play together, and grow up together. 3. Avoid the little quarrels, and the big ones will take care of themselves. 4. Compromise (give and take). It is the anti-toxin of divorce. 5. Practice sympathy, good humor, and mutual understanding. 6. Don’t grouch before breakfast—or after it. 7. Respect your “in-laws,” but don’t criticize them or take criticism from them. 8. Establish your own home, even in a one-room flat. 9. Fight for each other, but not with each other. 10. Build your home on religious faith, with love and forgiveness as the watchword.” These are great ideas, but it’s interesting to note that while Judge Sabbath puts “religious faith” as the last of his ten commandment, God put it as the first of His ten commandments. Indeed, God must be the center of the family. In the book, “What Every Family Needs,” written by Carl Brecheen and Paul Faulkner, in the chapter, “Let’s Put Things In Order: Family Priorities,” Carl Brecheen writes: “As a Christian, my first priority surely must be the maintaining of a rich, personal, vital relationship with the Almighty. Without that, I have nothing of real value to share with others and no valid base for my own life. “The form which this priority takes will be a very personal thing, but it would seem obvious this concern must express itself in some kind of daily study of the Bible and communion with the Father in prayer. This ‘quiet time’ with God each day provides the center of the Christian life, without which all the other activities get out of focus.” In this lesson, let’s think about those two things Breechen mentioned: (1) “daily study of the Bible” and (2) “communion with the Father in prayer.” Daily Study of the Bible The Scripture repeatedly encourage us to study them daily. For example, the Berean Jews were commended for their daily study of the Bible (Acts 17:10-12). Peter tells us to long for God’s word (1 Peter 2:1-3). Paul tells us to be constantly nourished on God’s Word (1 Timothy 4:6) and that the word of Christ should dwell richly within us (Col. 3:16). The Psalms tells us that a person is blessed if he delights in God’s law and meditates in it day and night (Psalm 1:1-2) and that those who love God’s word have great peace (Psalm 119:165; cf. Psalm 119:16, 47, 48, 97, 127, 163, 174). Ezra sets a good example in that he set his heart to study God’s word, practice it and teach it (Ezra 7:10). Here are some practical ways for a daily study of God’s word:
Communion with the Father in Prayer The Scripture repeatedly encourage us to regularly pray. We are told to be devoted to prayer (Col. 4:2; Romans 12:12). Jesus taught us to pray at all times (Luke 18:1-8). We have good examples of people like Daniel, who prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10), the author of Psalm 119, who praised God seven times a day (Psalm 119:164), Anna, who prayed night and day (Luke 2:36-37), and the early church, who was devoted to prayer (Acts 2:42). Indeed, we are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Here are some practical ways to pray without ceasing:
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