“Intentional families seek to emulate the lifestyle of Jesus.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 29, 2022
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
Our culture talks of a dream job, a dream house, a dream car or a dream vacation. But, what about a dream family? Not a perfect family, but a family who learns over time to love and fear God by obeying Him and serving others. A flawed group of individuals who say, “In this family: we do second chances, we do grace, we do real, we do prayers, we do mistakes, we do I’m sorry, we do forgiveness really well, we do hugs, we do love, we do family to death do us part.” Maybe a worthy goal for you is to intentionally invest in your family in a way that makes God smile and so in life’s journey you are able to celebrate a flawed, but flourishing family—a dream family.
Joshua was the succession plan of Moses and God. No doubt he felt the weight of leadership to follow the one who defeated Pharoah and parted the seas for God’s people to be set free. He leaned into the Word of God for his courage and strength (Joshua 1:8). Wisely, he also set a clear course for his family what to expect as Joshua followed God’s calling into a great adventure of faith and obedience. Joshua was God’s chosen leader to lead His people, but His choice servant’s loving leadership started in his home. First and foremost, he and his household served the Lord!
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
I remember as a new husband and father not knowing what I was doing. Unsure and insecure. But one thing I did know… for sure: I desperately, deep in my heart, longed for my family to serve the Lord. Not in the vocational sense, but in our home and with our lives. I began to learn my heart’s desire for my family to serve the Lord was not enough to be a dream family. But it was enough to be intentional as a family to be who God wanted us to become: His beloved family who was in the process of becoming like Jesus in how we loved one another. Being intentional meant every day setting a course that moved toward being loved and loving.
What are some ways for you to be intentional with your family to follow hard after God?
Maybe you start by planning your calendar over the next twelve months with events like weekly church attendance, family devotionals, church camp, a mission trip or hosting friends in your home for your family to be intentional in spiritual growth and serving others. Most of all, model your daily time of prayer, Bible reading/reflection and worship. Intentional families flourish!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me discernment in how to serve my family in a way that is intentional with your ways, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Consider ways to be more intentional with your family.
Related Reading
Proverbs 6:20, 13:18, Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:1-2
Worship Resource
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors: Family
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