Your Home as Holy Ground

Have you ever considered the fact that your home is actually a holy place? A place specifically designed for carrying out the plan and purposes of God?

Remember in Exodus 3 when Moses was in the desert tending to his father-in-law's sheep and he came upon the burning bush? It stopped Moses is his tracks because the bush was burning and burning and yet, did not burn up. Then, God spoke to him from the bush and told him to take off his shoes because the place where he was standing was holy ground. God wanted him to understand the reverence and honor required when in the presence of God. But he also wanted Moses to be prepared to hear the important mission that God had for him to do. God told him he wanted him to go back to Egypt and lead his people, the Israelites, out of captivity. It was a high and holy calling!

Well, I believe God has a holy calling for us as women today. He wants us to view our own homes as centers of ministry and spiritual training...as God's vehicle for doing his work in the world...as a place that reflects the attributes of God himself...as holy ground!

Homes have always been important to God.

He created man and woman to live together in a specific place and raise a family. (Gen.1:27-28)

He intended for the home to be a place where God's ways are taught.
(Titus 2:3-5, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Proverbs 11:8-9)

He even placed his own son, Jesus Christ, in a home setting, with Mary and Joseph, where he could "...grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:39-40, 51-52)

In fact, homes are mentioned more than 600 times in the Bible!

Women are uniquely gifted to create a home environment that reflects the attributes of God.

Attributes like: love, peace, mercy and forgiveness. Moms can be a stabilizing influence.They can bring peace to chaos, be a listening ear, and love away the hurt and disappointments of the world.

Your home is a place that can and should be modeled after God himself. God is our refuge...your home should be a refuge. God is comfort and strength...your home can provide comfort and strength. God is relationship ( by his triune nature)...your home is a place to build and strengthen relationships.God is love...when we love our husbands and children, we are helping them to understand the depths of the father's love.

Your home is a place where you can develop your marriage into one that reflects Christ's relationship with the church. A relationship of selflessness, love and sacrifice. A relationship of encouragement and support.

Help! My home is a mess and is nothing like this!

The problem with most homes is that sinners live there...that's you and me! You may be thinking, I could do that if all those little (and big) people in my house would just cooperate! I know where you're coming from. Homes will never be perfect places. They will always be in the process of becoming what God intends for them to be, just like our lives. You may have made a lot of mistakes in the past but God wants you to start right now to see your home as holy ground. If it is the desire of your heart to make your home a reflection of God in the world and a place to train the next generation to carry on the torch of faith, then God will honor that desire.

This week as you are cooking, cleaning, organizing, nurturing, rocking and refereeing...remember to take off your shoes. The place where you are standing is holy ground!

So...You Wish Your Husband Would Change?

Is your husband a Christian whose life doesn't seem to be bearing much fruit? Is he saved but not growing in his faith or showing any excitement for the things of the Lord? Or... are you in a marriage with an unsaved spouse?

 The above scenarios can be troubling to Christian women, especially when they are experiencing a season of spiritual growth in their own lives. When women are growing in their Christian walk through Bible studies, prayer, personal quiet times, and encouraging relationships with Christian friends, they often have a longing and desire that their husbands would grow along with them. The problem is, we often try to help this process along, employing all the wrong tactics.

If you are a woman who would like to see spiritual growth in her husband or to see him come to know the Lord as his Savior...just stand on faith and...believe.

Believe...that God has the power to change your husband from the inside out. Remember, the Bible says, nothing is impossible with God. He's worked on some hard cases before...Jonah? Paul?

Believe... that God loves your husband infinitely more than you do. He sent his only son to die for him and he ultimately wants the very best for him.

Believe...that although you are one in marriage, your husband has a distinct and personal relationship between he and the Savior. You cannot have that relationship for him.

Believe...in the life-changing power of prayer. Pray for your husband daily.

Believe...that God can use your life and example to change your husband's heart. Do your best to show him love, mercy, patience and grace.

Believe...that the Holy Spirit can communicate directly to your husband and does not need you to be his mouthpiece. You cannot guilt him into a stronger relationship with the Lord...it will backfire! That being said, there are times when the Lord does lead us to share ideas and opinions with our husbands and when that happens, by all means, do so.

Believe...that God has a plan and purpose for your husband and it may not be what you think it should be. Trust the Lord. His ways are not our ways. He sees the big picture.

Instead of trying to change your husband, which always leads to frustration and disappointment, spend more time in the Word and in prayer. Focus on your own relationship with Jesus. Walk in humility and submissiveness in your home and see what God will do.  Maybe he'll use your husband to change you!