That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:15.
The mission of the home extends beyond its own members. The Christian home is to be an object lesson, illustrating the excellence of the true principles of life…. Far more powerful than any sermon that can be preached is the influence of a true home upon human hearts and lives. As the youth go out from such a home, the lessons they have learned are imparted. Nobler principles of life are introduced into other households, and an uplifting influence works in the community.
From every Christian home a holy light should shine forth. Love should be revealed in action. It should flow out in all home intercourse, showing itself in thoughtful kindness, in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where this principle is carried out—homes where God is worshiped, and truest love reigns. From these homes, morning and evening prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like the morning dew…. All can see that there is an influence at work in the family that affects the children, and that the God of Abraham is with them. If the homes of professed Christians had a right religious mold, they would exert a mighty influence for good. They would indeed be the “light of the world.”
He who lives Christianity in the home will be a bright and shining light everywhere.
A lamp, however small, if kept steadily burning, may be the means of lighting many other lamps. Our sphere of influence may seem narrow, … yet wonderful possibilities are ours through a faithful use of the opportunities of our own homes. If we will open our hearts and homes to the divine principles of life we shall become channels for currents of life-giving power. From our homes will flow streams of healing, bringing life and beauty and fruitfulness where now are barrenness and dearth.
The Faith I Live By p. 278
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Isaac who is a alcoholic. He is in a treatment facility for The last 5 days and is checking himself out because he believes he’s learned enough to do it himself. They want him to do a 30 day program. His parents found a satanic bible in his apartment during this time. Also pray for his parents. D
—-Please pray for Andy’s salvation. Rosemary
—-I have a neighbor that just found out this morning; that his grown grandson and his two great-grandchildren 1 & 3 yrs. old were in a bad car wreck. Almighty GOD has kept them alive. There were bruising and some lacerations. The 3 yr old faces many fractured bones in her body. I know that she will grow and heal quickly. But, I am praying that The LORD’s Healing Hand be upon those physicians and medical staff personnel who will tend to her small body. That HE will heal and put her little bones together, quickly. That there will be no complications with any of their injuries and trauma. Katherin
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Dear Friends,
While on our drive I wrote about a few days ago, Ronnie Jay noticed on the map an additional drive that could be taken to a town called Sun City. We decided to go there in hopes that there was a city park with facilities. The seven miles were dusty and long. To add to our woes, huge trucks filled with gypsum sped past us leaving a trail of billowing dust in their wake.
At last we saw the welcome sight of a town in the distance. When we got there, what a sight met our eyes. Empty, ramshackle buildings filled the main street. Only two signs of life were evident—a small, dirty tavern with several cars parked in front and a tiny church filled to overflowing. A funeral was in progress. The three men standing at the open door eyed us with surprise. They were obviously not used to seeing strangers. We drove on.
Consulting the map again, Ronnie Jay noticed another town a few miles from Sun City. Lake City sounded like a lovely place. Thoughts of well-kept cottages beside sparkling blue water filled our imagination. Surely there would be a public access with facilities there.
The road to Lake City was rough and filled potholes, but we pressed on. At last we came to signs of civilization. A large, older, brick school building loomed in the distance. When we got closer, we found that this “school” was being used as a dwelling. It looked rather sinister. A chain link fence surrounded it. The yard was filled with junk, a dozen or so cars and vans that obviously had not run for years, and a couple of shiny motorcycles in good repair. We didn’t need to see the occupants to know that we shouldn’t stop. As we drove past a couple of large trees, we saw another brick building whose back wall and part of the side walls remained. A huge pile of wood, bricks, and remnants of furniture seemed to spill from those remaining walls. On the other side of the street a large, unpainted wooden building looked as if it had been twisted as it slowly sunk into a pile of neglected boards. Next to it was another, smaller wooden building with caved-in roof and no windows. As we drove along in amazement, every structure was abandoned and crumbling. Finally, we noticed about 500 yards away from these soon-to-be piles of rubbish a few fairly new, well-painted homes. It was as if they didn’t even care about the rubbish around them. It seemed so strange. There was no lake either. We drove on.
Jesus warns us that we can become the same as those crumbling, run-down remnants of a town. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matt 5:13 How can we lose our savour? By neglecting to pray and study God’s Holy Word. There is a little song that we sing in the Kindergarten class at church. “Read your Bible, pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow.” The second verse is like those crumbling buildings—“Neglect your Bible, forget to pray and you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.” How very true.
May we “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we exclaim as did David, “I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” Ps 77:12 May we “pray without ceasing” that we may have a living connection with the One Who loved us so much that “He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 1 Thes 5:17; John 3:16
Rose

A Bright and Holy Light