Morning by Morning, May 1 - “Families” Matter
Good morning, Lord Jesus. King of kings and Lord of lords, be King of my heart and Lord of my life -- this day and every day. ...
“Then God said to Noah, ‘Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh -- birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth -- so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.’ So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. And every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out of the ark by families” (Genesis 8:15-19).
When it was time to leave the ark, You didn’t send Noah out alone -- You sent him out with his family. And every living thing that You saved through the ark didn’t go out alone -- they “went out of the ark by families.”
In fact, this is the first mention of the word “families” in the Scripture -- as You began again with a clean slate and fresh start for humanity after the flood and their salvation. You sent them out to “abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth” through “families.”
Do “families” matter? It seems like the whole concept, the values, even the definition, of family is forever being challenged. Why is that? From a spiritual perspective, it often seems that the greater attack reveals the greater significance of what’s being attacked. The greater the attempts to redefine something point to the greater value of its true identity.
Our true identity in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is expressed in terms of family: “For those whom He foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn within a large family” (Romans 8:29). “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For (we) did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but (we) have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:14-16). “For in Christ Jesus (we) are all children of God through faith” (Galatians 3:26). “See what love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are” (1 John 3:1).
No wonder family identities, family relationships, and family values are under siege in our cultural wars. “Family” is at the heart of who we are and our relationship with You.
There will be a great “harvest” at “the end of the age” (Matthew 13:39). And a key to that great harvest is the restoration of families, as brokenness, division, and strife give way to forgiveness, healing, and restoration. The curses will be overcome with blessings, and what was being destroyed will become the harbinger of what will manifest life. “Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6). “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.... For there the Lord ordained His blessing, life forevermore” (Psalm 133:1-3). “‘Honor your father and mother’ -- this is the first commandment with a promise: ‘so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth’” (Ephesians 6:2-3).
And finally, one the great prayers of Scripture speaks of “the family” as our identity in You: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of His glory, He may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:14-19).
Yes, Lord. Come, Holy Spirit. Set things right within our hearts and within our families that You may ordain Your blessings over us. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My Friend, may you experience forgiveness, healing, and restoration in your heart and your family that the blessings of God may overtake you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
First Wednesday Encounter Service May 1st.
Friends, if you're in the San Antonio area, please come join us Wednesday Night, May 1st at 7pm, for the First Wednesday Encounter Service of Worship and Healing at Oak Hills Church, Crownridge. I'm excited to be sharing a message of hope and healing this month. Personal Prayer Ministry will be available in English and Spanish. All are welcome!
Information at: First Wednesday Encounter
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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