[Biblemat] S) HAVING A HAPPY HOME

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
recent files.  Use to the glory of God.

HAVING A HAPPY HOME

     How tragic it is to see the homes in our day that are far 
from happy.  God instituted the home and it is to be a place
of happiness.  But homes are falling apart and at an alarming
rate and many are just not happy in their homes.  The answer
to these problems are varied and seem to be very complicat-
ed, but we must understand that God intends the marriage
relationship and the home to be a place of happiness.  The
home as God would have it is designed to be a loving, warm
and caring place of safety.  But how can we have a happy
home living in a society where the home and marriage relation-
ship is under full attack?  I believe that there are some necessary 
ingredients for a home to be happy:

God Must Be First In The Home: -- God is the institutor of the
home and if it is to be happy, then God must be in His place--
that is first in the home.  Many may think that a spouse, child-
ren or jobs are to be given first place in the home, but God is
to be first.  When God and His Will is give first place in the
home, then it will help to solve many problems that tend to
destroy the happiness of the home.  If a home is to be happy,
then God will be there.

There Must Be Communication In The Home: -- The key to 
understanding, getting along, and happiness is communicat-
ion.  In any area of life, people murmur and complain when
communication is not what it should be.  In the workplace,
employee/employer problems are often caused by a lack of
communication.  In the home it is the same way.  We cannot
assume that everyone knows what I am thinking.  Many homes are destroyed 
because simple lines of communication
are absent.  If we are to have a happy home we must give
special attention to being an effective communicator.  Peter
stressed this when he wrote: "Husbands, dwell with them
according to knowledge, givng honor unto the wife, as unto
the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace
of life, that your prayers be not hindered" (1 Pet. 3:7).  We
must have communication in our homes if they are to be hap-
py.  There will be differences, but they can only be worked
out when there is communication that gives understanding.

There Must Be Cooperation And Commitment In The Home: --
In the home there is a place in the family for such one to fill.
Husbands, wives and children each have a place that God has given to them.  
If we are to have a happy home the hus-
band must assume the leadership in the home, but he must
not rule as a master of slaves.  He is to be the leader and the
family is to follow.  The example of a shepherd of God's family exhibits this 
kind of leadership.  It's the type of leader-
ship that will promote happiness.  The wife will not sinfully
seek to take the leadership away from her husband.  The 
home will be united working together as a team.  This coop-
eration will promote happiness in the home and grows as 
families commit to serving God in all things and not just some
areas.  This kind of home will not give just lip service to God,
but there will be true service and commitment.  When cooper-ation and 
commitment exists in the home, it will be a home
where happiness resides.

There Must Be Love In The Home: -- Without love a home will
suffer the loss of the great happiness that could be enjoyed.
The importance of love is seen when Paul wrote to the Cor-
inthians, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of
angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or
a tinkling cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, 
and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though
I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am 
nothing" (1 Cor. 13:1-3).  Without love, or lives
will be void of goodness and happiness.  The characteristics
of love that Paul lists are so important in order for the home
to be happy.  Notice Paul says that love is longsuffering, kind, is not 
envious, boastful or proud.  Love does not act in
an unbecoming way, does not seek its own good, think evil
or is easily provoked, "beareth all things, believeth all things,
hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Love never faileth" (1
Cor. 13:4-8a).  The harsh, bitter, fault-finding spirit and the
spirit of a lack of trust that looks for the bad of the other will
not be present when love is there.  Love is the ingredient in
our homes that will eliminate many problems.  Our homes can 
be a place of happiness as long as love resides there.

     Yes, we can have a happy home when God is there, and 
love is present.  Love will allow our homes to be open, honest
and a place of trust.  This will cause us to communicate and
commit ourselves to the good and happiness of the home.
These attitudes hinge on one completely surrendering his life
to the will of God.  And what a joyous and happy home there
will be when God reigns in the home.

     Throughout the Bible, God's concern for His people is
likened to that of a mother's care for her child.  God longs to
sweep us up into His strong arms and protect us from danger.

     Yet, there is a catch for God.  Concerning those who lived
in Jerusalem, Jesus said that they were not willing to be pro-
tected by God.  Our Creator has made us a free being.  From
the beginning He has given us the choice to live close to Him
or not.  Though God desires to shield us from the dangers of
evil, He will not force us into His cover of safety.  It is necess-
ary for us to reach up to Him in repentance and obedience.

     God's love causes Him to long to protect us.  Yet, His love
also grants us the freedom to choose.  His arms are outstret-
ched, the next move is yours.   ------ David A. Cox in Gospel
Power, Vol. 14, No. 39, Sept. 30, 2007.   </HTML>
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