Arkansas State press., 1944-12-08

The American home faces many
enemies and powerful destructive in.
fiuences In our day. At times one
wonders whether this most impor-
tant OF all institutions has not so far
departed from what God intended 1t
to be that 1t has lost its place and
power.
In such a time. II is important
that the Christian church keep be-
fore the people, and especially our
young people. the Scripture teach
ing about the home. We need to
revive the old-fashioned home. with
It's piety, purity and high purpose In
the plan of God. We begin right
when we note:
l. The Plan of God for the Home
Matt. 40.
When Jesus was challenged by
the Pharisees, who claimed that a
man had a right to divorce his wife,
He appealed to Scripture. That is
the sure foundation for right think
ing.
He referred them to the story Of
the creation of man and woman In
Genesis 2:l8-2t. There it is re.
vealed that in all the animal king
dom there was no creature suited
for fellowship with man. The one
who finds full satisfaction in the
company of cat, dog or horse,
Is just not up to normal.
Adam must have a help meet"
for him, that is, one suited by per-
sonality and gifts to be his compan-
ion. God made woman for that
purpose and gave her to man. Thus
He established the home and or
dained that all through mans his
tory there should be the coming
together of one man and one woman
In that indissoluble union Of love
". 81 which makes the home.
We have forgotten Gods law, or
have deliberately violated it, and
have broken down the home in its
very foundation. We had better be-
gin to think seriously about the di.
vorce problem If we are not to &C
the way Of other nations.
ii. The Presence Of Christ in the
Home duke 10: 38-42,
Christ repeatedly honored thu
home by His blessed presence. HI
came to the wedding feast at Cana
of Galilee, and there He performed
His first miracle John q. He should
be the unseen guest at every Chris
tan marriage. Invite Him, expect
Him, honor Him, and He will bless
, you,
One home In particular was o
place Of rest and refuge for our
Lord when He was here on earth
that Of His friends, Lazarus, Martha
and Mary, In Bethany. He was q
welcome guest, always at home ir
that household. Shall we do less lr
our households? We see notices ir
homes, Christ is the unseen guess
In this home" How appropriated
But note that His presence in the
home gives Him opportunity tt
teach and to direct the life Of the
home. Mary and Martha had bott
been busy about the work Of thu
household, but Mary knew when i
was time to stop being busy and 81
at Jesus feet to learn and to b,
blessed by His presence. She no
only worked, but "also sat at tn,
Lords feet ". 800. Martha wen
right on working until she was dis
tracted, and came to censure he
q sister.
The answer of Jesus Is signif
cant. He did not rebuke Martha
He only told her to get her life int
/ balance. There must be work in
home, but those who make HON
: only a workshop miss its creates
blessing. Home should be a place Q
sweet fellowship between the mem
bers Of the family and especiall
between them and the Lord
! III. The Power of Faith In tn
Home III Tim 1880.
Family religion really pays Tn
home with the family altar, wher
Gods Word is read as a natural an
proper part of daily living, wher
prayer is made, and Gods gooc
ness is remembered in thanks givin
and praise, that home will sen
forth children who know the grac
Of God, and are prepared TO hee
His call for service.
Timothy had grandmother an
q mother Zone wonders where pap
and grandpa were) with mfeigne
faith. What a precious heritage
That was far more valuable ina
silver or gold, or farms or corne
lots. What heritage are you givin
your children?
N~te the reference to Timothy
work as a minister Of God In verse
II was by the Holy Spirits call, an
was recognized by the church
ordination, the laying on Of hands.
But 1t is evidently closely connecte
with that which is spoken Of In II
verse before-the faith OF his hom
There is power in that faith to ser
boy forth to valiant service Il
God and TO keep him faithful in u
day Of trial. Give your boy ar
girl something really worthwhile
remember when they think Of hom
Put the power Of faith In the hon
ha,k of their lives In public for Go