1 Timothy 3:1-2, 4-5 KJV
“This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”
It is possible to reach out to the world and miss to reach in to your family. It is possible to be a blessing to all the world and lose your tiny family. It is possible for many people to testify of your goodness and generosity while your family members deeply resent you. Evangelism has to be both ways; it has be inside-out, and be outside-in as well. Do well to evangelize and reach the world, but never forget to reach in.
Gone are the days when people boasted about their exploits around the world and in people’s lives while they lose their children and spouses to the devil. I have a few evidences to prove that such should not be the case, in fact it was never God’s plan.
-First, God did not save Noah alone. Before He destroyed the world, God made sure that Noah, his wife, his sons and their wives were covered by being invited to the ark. So, God is a family God. Genesis 7:7
-Rahab negotiated for the lives of her father, mother, brothers and sisters, plus all that they owned to escape the destruction that was coming to Jericho. Joshua 2:12-13.
-Paul told the Jailor who supervised his imprisonment, that God would save him and his household. God is interested in your household. Acts 16:29-31.
-God instructed His disciples about the Holy Spirit that they were about to receive. But He said “you will be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth. Jerusalem is widely accepted as your home; immediate environment and family. Acts 1:8
-Lastly, God prescribed that anyone who would be a bishop must have his own family under control first of all. Because if he doesn’t know how to take care of his family, how would he be able to take care of the church of God. 1Timothy 3:4-5.
Do not make the mistake to reach the world and abandon your home. Is your husband saved, have you helped your wife to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour? What about your children, are they born again? Begin to pray and reach in to them today in Jesus Name.
Assignment/Prayer
i. Begin to pray for all your family members who are yet to be saved today, by making mention of them in your daily prayers for at least one minute a day for one year. That would be 365 minutes of intercession in a year, and that would be six hours of prayer.
ii. Thank God for their salvation each day.
Nugget
Do not make the mistake to reach the world and abandon your home.
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