FamilyFire

When we get too busy, our faith and relationships can falter. Do not neglect time spent in prayer and seeking God in his Word--don't let it be the last thing, only if we can find time for it. Prioritize your quiet time with God!

“We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Thanksgiving should be an important part of our worship with fellow believers. Psalm 35:18 says, “I will praise you in the great assembly; among the throngs of people I will praise you.”

Timothy was instructed to set an example in faith (1Timothy 4:12). Are we focused on growing deeper in our faith? Do our children see us engaged in our faith?

By reading the Bible together we learn how God cares for all of our family’s needs. We can see God’s provision of daily blessings, his equipping us with talents and gifts, and most especially his gift of salvation.

Shared Spiritual practice is critical for knitting your hearts together and keeping your marriage strong. Studies continue to show that couples who pray together and worship together are emotionally closer and less likely to divorce.

A successful marriage needs shared spiritual practice to cement it together. Worship together today!   " I rejoice with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" Psalm 122:1

Our most important job as mothers is to raise our children to "love the Lord their God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." We are told to keep God's commands in our hearts and impress them on our children. Deuteronomy 6:5-8

We are blessed when we spend time in God's word and when we live it out in our lives. Psalm 119:111 says," Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart." Plant scripture in your heart today and live it with your family.

We have all experienced difficult times when joy seemed far away. Psalm 30:11 tells us how God turns our wailing into dancing and our mourning into joy. Though we may grieve for a time, God will turn our grief into joy.

The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19 37b-38) May you celebrate him as king and live in his peace!

Psalm 51:17 says,"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." God desires our penitent heart!

By reading the Bible together we learn how God cares for all of our family's needs. We can see God's provision of daily blessings, his equipping us with talents and gifts, and most especially his gift of salvation.

In addition to family worship, we want to engage in worship with our community of believers. Psalm 26:12 says, "In the great assembly I will praise the Lord."

Acts 20:35 reminds us to help the weak and remember Jesus words that "It is more blessed to give than to receive." How are you giving to your spouse and children? Your community?

Shared spiritual practice is important for our families. Praying together weaves our hearts together. Prayer benefits our marriages, our families, and our communities.

Prayer is our regular communication with God, not just for when we run into trouble. Regular prayer from the heart is where a relationship with God is formed. How is your relationship?

Prayer is not just a nice idea, but the most powerful tool that Christians possess. James 5:6 states that "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." How are you praying for your family?

Psalm 119:105 states, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." God's word should guide the decisions that we make in our life. How well do they align? Who will guide your steps this year?

Joy can be found in a relationship with God. "In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name" (Psalm 33:21). Pursuing our spiritual life will result in enriching our marriages and families, as we become the person God desires us to be. How are you delighting in our God?

Delight yourself in God's word. "The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart" (Psalm 19:8). There is great joy in following God's guidance for our lives. Are you spending time in God's word? Are you living God's truths and sharing them with your family?

Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to thank him (Luke 17:11-19). Are we like the nine who took their healing for granted and forgot about giving thanks? Do we also take our spouse, or kids, or parents for granted? How can we express our gratitude to God and to each other today?

We are thankful to God for his indescribable gift, forgiveness and grace through Christ's sacrifice! (2 Co 9:15) It ought to move us to tears to know we are loved so much that Christ would die for us. Would you live your life differently if you really understood how deeply God loves you?

Jesus gave thanks to God publicly, breaking bread with others. Jesus also separated from the group to have quiet times of prayer alone. Jesus needed regular prayer to stay connected with his heavenly father. How much more do we need this! Have you given thanks publicly? Have thanked him privately?

Thanksgiving should be an important part of our worship with fellow believers. Psalm 35:18 says, "I will praise you in the great assembly; among the throngs of people I will praise you." Is your family joining with other believers to worship God together? Make time this weekend to worship in God's house!