Family Transformation: Developing Family Prayer Time

Joshua 24:14-15 >>

14Then Joshua told the people:

Worship the LORD, obey him, and always be faithful. Get rid of the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. 15But if you don’t want to worship the LORD, then choose right now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you’re living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you’ll worship their gods. I won’t. My family and I are going to worship and obey the LORD!

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 >>

6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

—

1. The commitment made by Joshua and his family was that despite everyone else around them (the norm) serving idols and false “gods,” Joshua and his family would serve the Lord! The spiritual condition of my family at this time is that we serve the Lord but I should spend more time with them and build unity. My family tries to put Jesus first, but I think we should evaluate regularly so that we can improve upon things (grow) and not stay stagnant. I care about the spiritual condition of my family.
2. God’s Word must continually be taught and/or discussed in a household of believers to encourage one another and because it is so important. We need to be always reminded and meditate on His Word so that it becomes a part of who we are and we think Biblically (on Biblical principles).  Praying together with my family is so important also [Deuteronomy 6:6-9]. The benefits are that it will unify us in the way we think and act and I believe our discussions would also please the Lord.

COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION: BECOMING CHRIST’S DISCIPLES

John 13:34-35 >>

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 15:8 >>

When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Luke 14:26-27 >>

26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

—

1. From the verses above, characteristics of Christ’s disciples are that they love one another and love God (hate everyone else in comparison). And they produce much fruit! We also have to carry on our cross.
2. Self Reflecting on whether or not I have those characteristics, I would say yes, but sometimes no. For example, if I hold on to something too long without being open and communicating and resolving an issue, I’m not acting in love because then bitterness can come up. To become Christ’s disciples, the kind of lifestyle I should cultivate is one of openness, intimacy with God so I know His will and get energy from Him, and willingness to pick myself up by the bootstraps and carry my cross.

Community Transformation: Building an Altar Wherever We Go

Psalm 133:1-3 >>
A song of ascents. Of David.

1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.

3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Joshua 24:14-15 >>

14Then Joshua told the people:

Worship the LORD, obey him, and always be faithful. Get rid of the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. 15But if you don’t want to worship the LORD, then choose right now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you’re living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you’ll worship their gods. I won’t. My family and I are going to worship and obey the LORD!

—

1. Declare Joshua 24:14-15 and continue to meditate on the verses.
2. According to Psalm 133, the blessings that lay in agreement and unity are happiness, anointing (?), even life forevermore.
3. To establish agreement and peace in my family, especially in the midst of conflict, I can not be passive but be active in being a peacemaker, not judging or gossipping but being an advocate for open and honest and kind communication.

Family Transformation: Respect/ Honor One Another

Ephesians 6:1-4 >>
Children and Parents

1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,[a] for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”[b]

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

—

1. My relationship with my family is I believe better than ever. I want to cultivate our relationship continuously by regularly spending time with them.
2. The way I show Biblical respect and obedience to my family members is to be caring and not rude and to listen to them.
3. When conflicts take place in the family, my attitude is to try to help out and appease things and to come to God. I try to be aware and not ignorant, cold, or react with anger, rebellion, and stubbornness. I try to act in God’s love?

IT STARTS FROM PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION: BUILD A PERSONAL ALTAR DAILY

Psalm 5:3-12

3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.

5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.

6 You destroy those who tell lies;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men
the LORD abhors.

7 But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies— make straight your way before me.

9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.

10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

—

1. From the Psalms above, David’s relationship with God is as a favored Son of a King. The attitude he had upon entering into the presence of the Lord was one of reverence and adoration and his heart and mind and eyes was on the Lord.
2. When I pray, fellowship at my cell group (or family altar) or church, I try to be open and honest with myself and God so that everything that I think, do and say is sincere and serious.
3. One can be changed in God’s presence because there is POWER in His presence. Evil cannot stand in His presence so we can be convicted of sin, delivered of bondages, healed of sickness, and if there are any evil spirits, they flee! It’s like God’s presence is a blinding light in darkness and pierces through. We also experience His love in His presence which empowers us to see ourselves the way He sees us, and empowers us to love others and see them with His eyes. It enables us also to forgive one another.

What Christ Does in My Life

Luke 4:17-21
17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18″The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[a]

20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

—

1. When Christ comes into my life, He is goign to anoint me to bring Good news to the poor, proclaim that captives will be released, and the blind and oppressed will be set free. It’s also time of the Lord’s favor.
2. Some changes He’s going to do in my life is anoint me and appoint me for a special task He’s purposed in my life. He will put me on the right path.
3. Some changes I’ve brought to others’ lives is try to set an example by my love and serving the Lord.

The Encounter with Christ Brings Transformation

Luke 2:25-35
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29″Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss[a] your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

—

1. Some changes that took place in Simeon’s life the moment he met Christ were that now he was ready to die in peace because that moment was the hope he had been waiting for.
2. YES, my life has experienced change and continues to change from the first time I’ve met Jesus until now that I continously meet him daily, I am also being changed daily. My character and desires are being molded to liken His.
3. In order to experience true changes, I should keep my hope in Christ alive. Whatever He has promised me and has declared in His Word, whether or not I see them already coming to pass, I need to hold firm to His Words (and commandments) and believe that God is seeing and will reward those who are faithful to the end. I musn’t lose hope, but rather share His light, the truth of His salvation to all the earth.