Breaking Bread: Families- A Holy institution of God

Breaking Bread: Families- A Holy institution of GodThe Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

by Vernon Cloete

09-02-2023 17:35

in Christian Connect

Photo: Pixabay

It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. What a profound truth! A realization that eases the grip of life on man - surrendering to God in all things. Partake in this feast as we consume food for the soul, nourishing the spirit in Breaking Bread. It is Thursday, 9 February 2023.

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Family is an important concept and structure in the Bible. God instituted family when He created Eve, a partner, a helpmeet, for Adam. The Bible defined families as those of the same household, the man, wife and their children. God uses families throughout history to help to fulfil His will.

What is God's purpose for us as family? Every family member's purpose is to fear God and to keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). His ultimate purpose for each of us as family members is to bring Him glory. We as individuals should firstly seek His Kingdom and teach our families to do the same. He also wants us to grow in Christ and be witnesses to the world. As a family we must stand united in this world to fulfill God's will and to worship Him.

Family relationships become stronger through Jesus Christ. Because he lives inside us as a family, our love and joy for each other can last beyond death.

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How should family members treat each other? Family problems are nothing new. In this broken and fallen world, those we should love the most- often become the ones we fight the most.The Bible records a number of family problems starting with the blame-shifting of Adam with his wife as the target (Genesis 3:12).

Families should treat each other with love and respect. The plan of God is that husbands love their wives in the same way that Christ loves His Church (Ephesians 5:25;33). Wives must respect their husbands and submit to their leadership (Ephesians 5:22-24). Children must obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-4).

We must submit to one another through our Lord Jesus Christ and withhold from our flesh's desire to rule and to have it our own way. Stop being jealous of one another and embrace each other with love and affection. Stop to say nasty things or belittle each other as family. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not just looking to your own interest.

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Let us adopt the spirit of humility as family members and treat each other as Jesus would treat us. By doing this we can solve many of our family relationship challenges in 2023.

PRAYER Heavenly Father help us to live in peace and love with our fellow family members. Help us to treat each other as You would treat us. Help us to enjoy ourselves within our family structures and through this become living witnesses for You.

ALSO READ: Breaking Bread: Following Jesus

Kom ons pak die 2023 reis as familie saam aan met Christus as ons Stuurman. Dit is n reis waarvoor ons nie kan beplan of voorberei nie. Dit is n kronkelpad oor mooi berge, deur magtige riviere, deur digte woude en donker dieptes.

Die beste van alles is dat Jesus altyd by ons is en reg langs ons loop. Ons kan verseker wees as n familie dat ons met n ervare Stuurman hierdie reis aanpak. n Stuurman wat alle slaggate, afgronde en kronkelpaaie van die lewe ken.

Ons lewe in n betekenisvolle tyd. Familieverhoudinge is besig om te verkrummel. n Maatskaplike navorser, Glen Stanton, maak die skokkende opmerking dat die familie in die Westerse wereld radikaal verander en selfs vernietig is. Vanuit n christelike perspektief moet ons as families besef dat Satan weet dat sy tyd kort is,en hy spits hom daarop toe om God se mense te verslind: Wee die bewoners van die aarde en see, want die duiwel het na julle neergedaal met groot woede omdat hy weet dat hy min tyd het''.

Satan is daarop ingestel om familielede teen mekaar op te steek, huwelike te vernietig, kinders te vervreem.Hy wil verwoesting in elke huis en familie saai.

Laat ons in gebed tree vir mekaar se siele in hierdie gebroke en vervalle wereld. Laat ons mekaar bemoedig en motiveer tot redding in Jesus Christus.

Gebed Here vul ons met U liefde sodat ons as familielede met mekaar in liefde en vrede kan saamleef. Maak ons verdraagsaam teenoor mekaar. Laat persoonlike belange verdwyn en kollektiewe belange in ons kom woon. Amen.

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