August 3, 2002
HOLY SPIRIT BLESS US
Joshua 24: 15
“We Will Serve The Lord”
Praise the Lord. I heard from Joni Ericksontada at the radio that today is what they called Family Sunday.
What a special day to celebrate Family Day on the Lord’s Day which is a time for Worship and Prayer.
It is a fact that the family is the smallest unit of our society. Since I was in grade 2 I have been hearing those lines. But what’s so significant about that statement. It is very important because families play a very vital role in shaping the kind of society that we belong.
It’s true because it is in the four corners of our homes that we learn so much about what life is.
Out of the conversations during meal time that we learn the values and that were inculcated in our minds.
I remember when I was a still a young boy that my grandma always gathered her family to discuss issues and joys about the family with love and enthusiasm.
We need to consider the brilliance of our old folks even though they are not educated but I tell you they are full of wisdom coupled with faith in God.
They just learn that by means of family discussion that for every problem there is a solution and joys must always have a place in our hearts.
My friends, what we need today is family get together, family conversations/discussions. People are lonely and downhearted because nobody in the family wants to listen. They are all busy and they are not sensitive to the situations.
That is why our teenagers nowadays are looking for something outside the family that will fill-in the void that is inside of them… what do we see and read in the news paper, young boys hooked up in drugs…teenage girls getting pregnant…by who?
We cannot change the fact that accdg. to statistics, US now belongs to the top ten in drugs and abortion.
And this is a prevalent practice in our society probably because the very nucleus of this society (the family)
is neglected and taken for granted. What is your family doing in this kind of situations?
(Ill) A young lad walked up to his father many years ago, and said with deep earnestness: “Dad, if you don’t do something to help me, I am going to commit suicide tonight!”
The father who had been busy making money was astonished and stunned to know that anything was wrong with his son.
The boy went on to relate his ventures into sin and contracting of a social disease. The father immediately sent the boy to an institution for treatment. In a year he came home and was believed to be cured.
The young man married a beautiful girl who soon gave birth to a son.
When the boy was born, the mother paid with her life. The young father, already overwhelmed with grief, had to bear the added tragic news that the baby was deficient physically and mentally. In desperation, he picked up a revolver, went outside and took his own life. The story did not end there.
The baby lived. He stood one day in a long line of people in buffalo, NY, waiting to shake the hand of the President of the United States, William McKinley.
As he grasped the hand of the President, he drew a gun and took the president’s life.
Not long afterward, he was brought to justice and was executed.”
- Treasury of Illustrations by Paul Lee Tan
This sad story had all started because of a busy father who have no time to his son.
Again why, not only the breadwinners are busy but also the government pampered so much our children.
Yes in some occasions you can impose discipline but is limited because the moment your hands hurt them physically, in a couple of minutes or hours or so… there you go, the best cop in town is knocking on your door and inviting you not to a dinner date but interrogation in the police department.
This probable situations, halt (stop) the very purpose of creating a model family.
But, I tell you even if the society or the government fails to accomplish its duties.. God will not.
We can lean on Him and I will assure you that He is also working non-stop to lead us in the path of perfection.
Joshua penned this deathless statement when he said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua was right and he made the greatest decision a father could decide for his family… Joshua will never regret his decision that he and his family will serve the Lord God.
I believe one of the reasons why the society has gone astray or lost because the real and true God - Jesus Christ is out of the picture of our life.
He is no longer part of the family portrait.
We need to go back to the basic and undo or refresh what was forgotten for a long time…that is, to serve the Lord and teach our children the reward of allowing God to work in our midst.
I am very sure that we all have heard the statement; “ the family that prays together stays together.”
I am proud to say the this phrase is true to our family because since we learned how to pray- we have a family devotion and we are praying together although at that time our Tatang never joined us because he is a Roman Catholic then but God did not fail us, after so many years, because of our fervent prayers, he is now one among us serving our dear God.
Aside from watching movies and football together… add to it the topics about life- its meaning and purpose and most specially spiritual things. We need to start now or it may never happen or it will be too late.
According to a study of more than 500 family counselors, the following are the top traits of successful families:
*Communicating and listening
*Affirming and supporting family members
*Respecting one another
*Developing a sense of trust
*Sharing time and responsibility
*Knowing right from wrong
*Having rituals and traditions (this has something to do with kissing hands or saying po or opo among the Filipinos)
*Sharing a religious core(heart or substance) share about your spiritual encounter with the Lord
*Respecting privacy. (it’s members of our family have to respect their privacy such as do not open their love letters, but lead them on how to choose the ideal person for them)
--Focus on the Family Bulletin, December, 1988 .
We probably cannot act in general but we can move on individually for good in particular. We need to start now!
Stop pointing the blame to the society in general but try to reflect on what extent we contribute our opinion in particular.
From a national survey of strong families conducted by the Human Development and Family Department at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, a profile of a strong family is:
1. Appreciation. "Family members gave one another compliments and sincere demonstrations of approval.
they tried to make the others feel appreciated and good about themselves."
2. Ability to Deal with Crises in a Positive Manner. "They were willing to take a bad situation, see something positive in it and focus on that."
3. Time Together. "In all areas of their lives--meals, work, recreation--they structured their schedules to spend time together."
4. High Degree of Commitment. "Families promoted each person’s happiness and welfare, invested time and energy in each other and made family their number one priority."
5. Good Communication Patterns. "These families spent time talking with each other.
They also listened well, which shows respect."
6. High Degree of Religious Orientation. "Not all belonged to an organized church, but they considered themselves highly religious." (1983)
--Human Development and Family Department at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln.
Both studies conducted we’ve learned that “Religious Core & High degree of Religious Orientation” played a significant role in our family. This is true because the God himself is the prime mover of the family.
That is why we need to ask God to intervene in the affairs of the family because He is the finest person to consult with in order for us to run our home successfully.
Though we say we did our best… but our best are not enough to make our family walk smoothly.
It’s okey! Life is not a bed of roses, there will always be ups and downs, rough roads along the way… but, never give up nor stop, but keep on reminding our children although they are already grown up… they need God and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they need Christian Church that will nourish and feed them spiritually.
We loose their souls if we fail to do that and we will regret just the thought that they will spend their eternity in hell with the gangs of devil.
But, I tell you the angels in heaven are rejoicing if there is even a single soul being saved and added to the family of God. Which one will you prefer? The latter must be our goal.
For husbands, wives, brothers and sisters who will spend even a brief moment of their time teaching about the Gospel and sharing their personal encounter with Jesus Christ and leading the family to trust and have faith in Christ… listen… God is telling us these words...
“I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.” Genesis 12: 2b
And in the end, “Well done, good and faithful servant...” (Read Matthew 25: 23) AMEN.
