Our Home, God's Home預覽

OUR HOME, GOD'S HOME

INTRODUCTION

There is a very interesting lesson that can be learned through the story of Joshua, at the point when Joshua succeeded in attaining the vision of God. That point was that Joshua always kept remembering the Lord and keep worshiping God diligently even at the height of his glory

Most people will forget God when they are at the peak of success. Sometimes many people come with full heart to God only when they are in a decline situation or helplessness, and after succeeding in their work and business.

Joshua reminded his family and his people to always remember that victory and success were all coming because of the mighty hand of God. That the success of the people of Israel was not due to the strength or greatness of their weapons.

We read from Jeremiah 17: 7 Jeremiah 17:7

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.”

When all of our family members always rely on God then surely God guarantees our future. The Word of God says, let every day our eyes remain fixed on God, to the Word of God.

DISCUSSION

If we want God to be present in our homes, then all we have to do is we must bring God's presence into our homes. How do we do it?

1. Welcoming the Presence of God to Our Home (2 Samuel 6:9-12)

The Ark of God is a picture of the presence of God. When the Ark of God was in the house of Obed Edom, surely everyone who lived in the house of Obed Edom at that time had an attitude of joy, admiration, and reverence to the Presence of God. Our attitude to someone will determine our future relationship with that person. Let's say that, if we are newcomers in a group, and the people there are very happy with our presence, they will show a good attitude, and they will please us. We will come again to that place because we feel happy to be accepted. On contrary, if we are ignored and even we get an impression that we are not accepted, we will not stay for long and we will not come again for sure.

How to make the Ark of God or the presence of God exists   in our home? Through prayer, praise and worship and meditate on the Word of God. However, of course, all should be done with the right attitude, attitude that love and honor God.

What we put into our minds will be processed by our brains and one day it will produce some results. After the input, there will be output. Well, what do we put in our house? Sometimes from the outside we are overwhelmed by all kinds of problem, bad experiences, frustration, and even disappointment. Do not allow to the devil to bring bad thoughts into our homes, instead let’s rise praise of gratitude in our home, so God will reign over the problems we face. If our next-door neighbor is richer than us, cooler than us, do not envy. We must remember that the presence of God is everything to our homes than the abundance of wealth. The Word of God says in Matthew 6:33 (let's read)

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

So put God first, prioritize the presence of God before we get out of bed.

2. Build the Ark of Salvation in Our Home (Hebrews 11:7)

Why were Noah and all of his household saved? It was not because of the wooden ark that he built, but actually because of the spiritual ark that he had built with all of his family. The spiritual ark is indispensable for the salvation of our home. Why? Because the devil works day and night to destroy the faith of God's children. If from within our house we do not build the ark of salvation, then outside of the house, all your household will be swallowed up by the evil of this world. How to build an ark of salvation? Faith (Noah has faith), we must believe in His Word, believe that God's Word is able, powerful, and inevitable. Obedient (Noah obeyed God wholeheartedly), meaning do not delay God’s commands. Did Noah procrastinate God’s commands? Even though people mocked Noah,  he did not care = what people said because Noah preferred to believe in the Word of God.

For it is better to listen to what God says than what man says because His Word has a promise.

If we apply and teach this to our household, then the Salvation of God must be there for our household.

CONCLUSION

- When we are going to go out of the house, always remember to invite His presence. Then if we are going to go into our house, always remember that the presence of God is in our home. Live in the love of God and live in fear of God.

- Believe that God's presence brings healing and recovery to our household. And in His presence, there is protection and salvation for us and our household.