Memory Verse: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalm 127:1
When I wrote the article on the A, B, C’s of planning, I started with A and ended with I. I did that not because I forgot the alphabet, but I thought it would be too overwhelming to read more than that. Then I decided to continue this article because of a request from a friend to finish it up. So there will be two more articles to finish the task.
- Judge less, think the best more. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ” Matthew 7:3, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV
- Keep your house tidy. A few days ago my husband and I took an online test to see if we notice details or not. It turned out we are a bit OCD. You don’t have to be like that. But, staying organised will help you be more effective: you don’t have to be late for your meetings anymore because you can’t find your keys. There are people that may not value cleanliness so much as their spouse does. If this is not important to you, it might be to your spouse and kids. Do it for them. At the same time, as a clean freak, I need to remember not to go to the other extreme, where you can’t even sit on the couch for the fear of messing the pillow arrangement, “Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.” Proverbs 14:4 NLT I need to praise God there is life in our home, and it’s ok if it gets a little messy at times. We have cute oxen in our stall. So glad we do!
- Learn to say ‘NO’. Learn what’s really important and say YES to that. Don’t feel guilty you can’t save the world, or that you can’t be part of all the parties. Be discerning with your commitments. First comes God, then your family, and even your health before other things. “A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” Proverbs 17:24 NIV , “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8
- Monitor your marriage regularly. My husband and I have this unwritten tradition to do a thorough marriage check-up a few times each year. It’s better to hear from the horse’s mouth how things are going and not assume all is well. (Sorry sweetheart for calling you a horse.) “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 NIV, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” Matthew 18:15 NIV
- Never forget this principle: I am too busy not to pray and read my Bible. Especially when we are on the go, and overwhelmed, we need God’s strength and guidance to go through the day. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 NIV
- Open your house to guests. Invite families or friends over to get to know them. Be intentional about it. Invite for the purpose of fun and friendship, but also invite with the purpose of evangelism. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9 NIV
- Pray more than you are right now. You can never talk too much to God. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV, ” …petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV, “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28 NIV
- Quit bad habits, whatever they might be: they could be physical, emotional, spiritual, or relational. Some may seem harmless and mindless, like picking your nose or interrupting someone else when they speak. On the other hand, others are triggered by a sinful desire: eating excessively, shopping so much that your credit card tells you to window-shop (if your spouse doesn’t), smoking, over drinking, or talking without a filter. Whatever it is, remember, we are Christ’s ambassadors on this earth. We need to represent Him well. We might be the only Jesus our family, co-workers, or neighbours might see. “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV
- Record memories. I know we sometime exaggerate taking thousands of pictures that we never look at. Take time as a family to look back at those memories to remember how God blessed you, and how He challenged you. Continue to make thousands of memories, either mental or in a picture format. Also, take time to jot down some funny things the kids say. When you’re around children you don’t need sit-coms, you’ve got them live in your house. On a deeper level, I am so glad the Scriptures were recorded for us. Praise God for the freedom we have to read it. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31 NIV
Things I need to work on:
- Choose some of the verses from today’s article that challenged you
- Take time to work through them throughout the day