Caring for Family (1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8)

Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8

The breakdown of family in our culture is one of our greatest tragedies. The disrespect children have for parents, parents’ neglect of children, the lack of respect for the elderly … is it any wonder that our society is spiraling downward?

Although the first two of today’s verses concern widows, the last verse deals with the entire family. We need to care for each other, provide for each other’s needs. And this doesn’t just mean financially.

We’re to love them. We’re to support them emotionally and spiritually. We’re to provide guidance and wisdom.

Are we emotionally “available” for those we love? Do we truly listen when they share their hearts with us? Do we represent Christ to them and encourage them to grow in their own relationships with Him?

Family should be our most important earthly relationship. And if we don’t put a priority on caring for them, we’re displeasing our heavenly Father.

What can you do today to show your family members how much you love them?

Friends and Family ... Blessings! (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

I’ve been blessed with so many amazing, wonderful, talented, unique people in my life. Friends for a season; friends for a lifetime. Family. Even acquaintances who have briefly touched my life.

The older I get, the more I appreciate how God created us for relationship. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t have people who encourage, affirm, and love me—yes, and even convict me when I’m off track.

My husband who has loved me and supported me—and put up with me—for almost 28 years. My mom who prays for me and who has loved me unconditionally my entire life. My siblings whom I greatly admire. My nieces and nephews who give me hope for the next generation.

And my friends … hugs. Words of encouragement. A listening ear. A ready shoulder.

What would I do without them? And you ... who faithfully reads this devotional each day. Thank you!

These truly are my glory and joy.

You Have Blessed Me (1 Corinthians 16:19-24)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:19-24

I just love how God made us for relationship. With Him. With others.

Paul certainly understood the importance of relationships. In all his letters, he began by greeting his brothers and sisters in Christ with joy and love. He so desired they grow in faith, and it’s clear he dearly loved them. He mentioned friends by name, like Aquila and Prisca, and he continually prayed for them.

I too dearly love the people with whom God has blessed me. I have a wonderful family, and I know they’re just a phone call away (and now, some of them are within a reasonable distance for a visit!). I have faithful friends who pray for me and support me. I’ve mentioned before that, although God chose not to give my husband and me children, He’s blessed me abundantly with “children of my heart.” I have “daughters” who actually call me “mama.”

Then there’s my wonderful husband. We are in a new chapter of our lives, and for the first time, we actually have abundant time together. I am continually blessed by his presence.

If you’re reading this devotional, it’s because you are part of my life in some way. And so, I pray along with Paul: “Maranatha [Come, O Lord!]. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Family (John 2:12)

Today's scriptures: John 2:12

I love how the Bible includes some very human things that Jesus did. On several occasions, Jesus just, in our vernacular, hung out with His friends. Today's verse says that He stayed a few days with "His mother and His brothers and His disciples." Just hanging out with those He loved.

Family is very important to God. He created the first man and woman and told them to "go forth and multiply." In other words, they were to start a family.

I know it's not the case for everyone, but I love my family. Although we're spread across the United States—literally—I have no doubt that I could call on any of my family members, and they'd do what they could to help or provide comfort. We may not be geographically close, but we genuinely love each other. And I would love to be able to hang out with them for a few days much more often than I'm able.

I don't know what your family was like. I don't know if you're close to them. I pray you are. But know that you're part of God's family. If you don't have a blood family close to you, find a spiritual family. I have a small group of women who truly have become family to me. We call each other "sister," not only because we're sisters in Christ, but because we genuinely love each other. We pray for each other, and we share in each others' joys.

We all need family. Even the incarnate Jesus needed His family. So spend a few days with yours ... or at least give them a call!

Healthy Families (Colossians 3:18-21)

Today's scripture: Colossians 3:18-21

In these three verses, Paul gives some guidelines for healthy families. If Christian families followed them, I truly believe this world would be impacted greatly for God. The family is—or at least it should be—the foundation of society, and when families are healthy, so will society be.

Wives are to be subject to husbands. Oh, I know how controversial this is. I know some women will rise up and say, "I will not submit to my husband. I'm an independent woman, and I don't need to cater to his whims." I believe there is a huge misunderstanding about this whole issue. I wrote a short Bible study for a small group I used to lead. We were a sisterhood of women married to unbelieving spouses. In that study, I wrote that being submissive is "being willing to be subject to something." I went on to say, "Did you catch that? To submit is an issue of willingness. I read recently that a wife-to-husband relationship is similar to a vice-president-to-president relationship. Certainly, a vice president is able to do as much (or perhaps more) than the president. They work together, often make decisions together. However, he willingly submits to the authority of the president because there needs to be one leader. In the same way, we wives contribute and have a voice, but there does have to be a final authority." As long as a husband doesn't ask his wife to go against biblical principles and is not a bully or abuser, we wives need to be willing to be subject to our husbands.

Then, Paul writes to husbands. Husbands are to love their wives. Elsewhere, Paul writes they are to love as Christ loves the church, and His love caused Him to lay down His very life for the ones He loves (Ephesians 5:35). In addition, husbands are not to be "embittered against" their wives. They should not antagonize or aggravate, disgruntle or estrange. They should, instead, love their wives with the tender love with which Christ loves them.

Next, Paul writes to children. Children are to be obedient to their parents. The first commandment that was written regarding how we're to interact with others is, "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12). Honor means to "treat with admiration and respect" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Some might say, "But my parents mistreated or abused me. How can I honor them?"

This leads us to the final exhortation: Parents aren't to " exasperate [their] children." Exasperate means to "excite the anger of; to cause irritation or annoyance to" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Parents should raise their children with discipline, certainly, but also with love, nurturing, caring, gentleness, and kindness.

If wives willingly subjected themselves to the godly guidance of their husbands, if husbands loved their wives with devotion and Christ-like love, and if children obeyed their parents who raised them with love and caring, imagine how healthy families would be.

Imagine how healthy society would be.

If you agree, share this devotional with your own family.

A Child of the King! (1 John 3:1)

Today's scripture: 1 John 3:1

I love, love, love today's scripture!! I am a child of God! You are a child of God! You are a son or daughter of the Most High King! That’s how much God loves us!

He could have called us servants or slaves … or nothing at all. But He chose to call us His children. His dearly-loved children. When we accept the gift of salvation through belief in Christ’s death and resurrection, we are adopted into God’s family.

I have many friends who have adopted children. Some have “natural” children as well, but they make no distinction between those children who came from their bodies and those adopted into their hearts.

And once we’re adopted into God’s family, He makes no distinction either.

But the world certainly does. Non-believers don’t understand how believers are part of a family. They don’t recognize our kinship because they don’t recognize our Father.

No matter what the world may think of us, be grateful. You are God’s son. His daughter. You have brothers and sisters across the globe. Have you ever traveled and found yourself chatting with someone with whom you have an immediate affinity? And then you find out he's a believer too? It's such a blessing to find those brothers and sisters everywhere!

And even better? You are never alone, for your Father is always with you.

Your Father. Your Abba. Your Daddy.

Commands for Parents (Eph. 6:4)

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4, NASB)

Yes, as we learned yesterday, children are to obey and honor their parents. But parents have their own commandments.

Paul was writing to fathers, but I think it’s safe to substitute “parents” here. Parents aren’t to “provoke [their] children to anger.” They’re not to mistreat or abuse them. They’re not to neglect them. They’re not to do anything that may cause their children to lash out in anger. They aren’t to instill bitterness.

Instead, they are to instruct them in God’s word, teaching them its truths. They are to model godly behavior. They are to encourage them to spend daily time in God’s word and in prayer, helping them to grow in faith.

Imagine a world where all parents inspired and encouraged their children, and where all children respected and honored their parents. Not only because they’re commanded to do so, but because they genuinely love each other.

Wouldn’t that be peace on earth?