Setting the Course

1 Corinthians 4:20 God's Way is not a matter of mere talk; it's an empowered life. (MSG)

I wonder, as you take stock of the emotional and spiritual health of your family, what do you see? Are you pretty happy … or is a tragedy unfolding before your very eyes?

As we’ve chatted about families … your family … these last few days, it’s become pretty obvious that “the perfect family” is right up there with the tooth fairy in terms of the reality of day-to-day life.

Every family has its issues, its problems, it’s conflicts, its black sheep. And yet, God loves your family more than words can say. That’s why He sent Jesus to die and rise again: to bring forgiveness and newness of life to each and every member of your family.

But here’s the thing. You and I can go to prayer meetings, we can attend church, we can preach at them until we’re blue in the face and yet nothing changes. Sometimes it’s God’s timing. Other times though, our own hypocrisy is –  if not the heart of the problem – then certainly a major contributor to family dysfunction.

When our attitudes and actions don’t match our words, we can end up being the biggest roadblock of all in seeing God heal our family relationships. That’s because …

1 Corinthians 4:20 God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life. (MSG)

Jesus means to change your life first. Jesus means to prune you, shape you, humble you … and in doing so, empower you to be His ambassador in your family.

The closer you are to someone, the more your actions and attitudes, rather than your words, will impart the love of Christ to them. SO stop talking and start doing. Because God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.