The First Obstacle to an Eternal Agenda: Family Relationships1 Corinthians 7:29
What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not...
Thoughts for Today:We're all getting older and the day of the Lord's return is getting closer. So whether we live into old age or the Lord comes back for us this afternoon -- it doesn't matter. Time is running out quickly. James 4:14: "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." With this thought as the preface to his comments, Paul gives us three obstacles that prevent us from fully committing to an eternal agenda. Today we will take a look at the first: "My Family Relationships".
Many people miss out on the opportunity to become involved in Kingdom work simply because they make family relationships their number one priority. Throughout their lives, when called into some aspect of ministry, they find a reason to postpone. At the beginning of their relationship they say, "We can't participate now because we're getting married. After we're settled, then we'll really be ready to serve the Lord!" However, a few years later, when asked to participate the response is, "We want to serve, but we have to get the baby out of diapers first." Then it's, "We can't take him (or her) out of school, soccer practice, or piano lessons." The delays and excuses go on and on. So what happens? More often than not, those who place too much emphasis upon the family, find problems within the family, because they didn't follow the direction and calling God had placed upon their lives along the way.
Paul's instruction in our passage today should be taken to heart by everyone: "Get outside yourselves and your family -- the Lord's work is more important than your relationship." I have learned from my own family experiences, if we seek the Kingdom first, then everything else will fall peacefully and properly into place (Matthew 6:33).
Questions to Ponder:Is your family going through some challenging times? Where is the Lord placed in the priority of your family's agenda? At the top or somewhere else? What adjustments do you need to reorder what's important from an eternal perspective?
What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not...
Thoughts for Today:We're all getting older and the day of the Lord's return is getting closer. So whether we live into old age or the Lord comes back for us this afternoon -- it doesn't matter. Time is running out quickly. James 4:14: "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." With this thought as the preface to his comments, Paul gives us three obstacles that prevent us from fully committing to an eternal agenda. Today we will take a look at the first: "My Family Relationships".
Many people miss out on the opportunity to become involved in Kingdom work simply because they make family relationships their number one priority. Throughout their lives, when called into some aspect of ministry, they find a reason to postpone. At the beginning of their relationship they say, "We can't participate now because we're getting married. After we're settled, then we'll really be ready to serve the Lord!" However, a few years later, when asked to participate the response is, "We want to serve, but we have to get the baby out of diapers first." Then it's, "We can't take him (or her) out of school, soccer practice, or piano lessons." The delays and excuses go on and on. So what happens? More often than not, those who place too much emphasis upon the family, find problems within the family, because they didn't follow the direction and calling God had placed upon their lives along the way.
Paul's instruction in our passage today should be taken to heart by everyone: "Get outside yourselves and your family -- the Lord's work is more important than your relationship." I have learned from my own family experiences, if we seek the Kingdom first, then everything else will fall peacefully and properly into place (Matthew 6:33).
Questions to Ponder:Is your family going through some challenging times? Where is the Lord placed in the priority of your family's agenda? At the top or somewhere else? What adjustments do you need to reorder what's important from an eternal perspective?
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