"Redemption and the Family
The Lord is shedding a special touch of His grace on families these days, and those who are open to His nudgings are being enriched by God's present focus on the family. In a day where we see parental ineffectiveness - which is characterized by at least three things: (1) ignorance and slothfullness, read Psalm 24:3,4; (2) undermined confidence, read II Timothy 1:7; and (3) an obvious spiritual assault on the family, read Ephesians 6:12 - God is calling many to take a stand and contend for redemption and order.
God put His model home on display in the book of Genesis. He said that it was not good for a man (Adam) to be alone. So God created the first family, and that was good. Then sin came, and Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden. The motivation for the murder of Abel was sin. Sin has disrupted families for a long time, and continues today. This destructive cycle is broken by a force called 'love' - His name is Jesus. Jesus the Redeemer makes possible the fresh flow of redemption that heals and restores.
The Lord is committed to the truth that the channel of redemption is worked through the family:
1. Noah (in Genesis 6:9, 'perfect in his families ') is the instrument through which a destructive age is bridged and a new beginning is realized.
2. Abraham (Genesis 18:19) became the channel of transmitting God's full promise. Why? 'For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgement; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.'
3. Exodus 12:26, Psalm 48:13, and Psalm 145:4 speak of God's desire that truth be channeled from parents to children, that His truth be continued through family relationships.
4. God is so committed to families that when He sent His Son He put Him into the midst of a loving family (Luke 2:39-41; 49-52).
I'm hopeful you'll join [us] as we study God's Word and specifically look at the truths God has laid out for His family. The erosion of the family and the epidemic of parental ineffectiveness, in my mind, can be traced to ignorance, unpreparedness, and a spiritual assault against the home. Believe with me this week for a breakthrough in many lives.
Part of the family,
Ron Mehl"