DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES

Do you know any dysfunctional families?  Are you part of a dysfunctional family?

I used to think they were in the minority, now I'm beginning to wonder if there are truly ANY functional families at all.  It seems everyone I talk to has some kind of issue going on within their family that tears at the heart.  This got me to thinking "What does the Bible say about dysfunctional families?"  So I began to think back through some of the major families we know in the Bible.  Turns out dysfunction in families has been around since the beginning.  Take a look.


Adam and Eve – had Cain and Abel. Cain was rebellious, failing to handle the sacrifice as God had commanded. As a result, God favored Abel’s offering over Cain’s. This caused jealousy between the brothers. Cain killed Abel. (Genesis 4: 5-10)



Noah – Noah had 3 sons: Ham, Shem and Japheth. Ham “uncovered his father’s nakedness” (which some translate to mean he sodomized him) after the flood.(Genesis 9:20-24)

Lot – After God sends Abram out of the land of UR and into the land where HE wants him to go, he and Lot cannot get along. There is always bickering over the land and the wells, etc. So Abram tells Lot to choose which way he wants to go. Lot picks the side he thinks is the most lush and green and ends up in Sodom, a land filled with homosexuality and wickedness. God comes to destroy Sodom, but allows Lot and his wife and 2 daughters to escape. His wife is killed so it is only he and the 2 girls on the outskirts of town, trying to stay alive. The girls get their father drunk and both sleep with him and get pregnant by him. (Genesis 19: 1-36)



Abraham and Sara – Sara offers her handmaiden as a surrogate to  because she is childless. Then gets mad because he does what she asks and he fathers a child by Hagar. Ishmael and Isaac were never close as brothers, but an enmity was between them from the beginning. (Genesis 16; 21: 1-21)



Jacob and Esau – Isaac and Rebekah have 2 sons, Jacob and Esau.  Isaac favored Esau because he was a hunter and a "man's man".  Rebekah favored Jacob and a "homebody".  Jacob cheats Esau out of his birthright with the help and encouragement of his mother. He has to run away from home to escape Esau’s rage. He goes to work for Uncle Laban but Uncle Laban tricks him into marrying the wrong daughter, then makes him work 7 more years for his beloved Rachel. He has 12 sons by the 2 women but he favors Rachel’s children, Joseph and Benjamin. (Genesis 25: 26-34; 27: 1-43; 29-30)



Joseph – Because of his father’s partiality towards him, his other brothers are so jealous they seek to kill him. One of them has pity on him and convinces the others to put him in a well instead, planning to come back and rescue him later. They deceive their father into thinking an animal killed him after they sell him to some traveling gypsies. (Genesis 37)



David – Out of all the sons of Jesse, God picks David to be the next king and to be the line through which Jesus will come. Though scripture does not elaborate on it, I’m sure there was probably quite a lot of jealousy over that fact among the brothers. Then he becomes king, is highly favored of God being called a man after God’s own heart. He has numerous wives but he looks upon the wife of another, sleeps with her and then has her husband killed in battle. He has a son who rapes his sister and another son who plots the overthrow of his father’s throne. (I Samuel 16: 1-13; II Sam 11: 1-27; 13: 1-14; 15-18)


Solomon – One of David’s sons, Solomon, was born to the woman he committed adultery with, Bathsheba. Solomon was considered the wisest man who ever lived yet had took hundreds of women to be "wives" and they turned him away from being obedient to the Lord.  (I Kings 10: 23, 24; 11: 1-4)
These are just a few of the more familiar families of the Bible, but I think it gives a clear picture that families are made up of sinful people. There are no perfect families because there are no perfect people. God Himself was a perfect parent but He only had ONE perfect child, and it wasn't me or you! It was JESUS.


So do we give up our quest for a godly home and a godly family? Absolutely not!! We continue to seek, on a personal level, to be all that God wants each of us to be, to be in relationship with Him, obedient to Him and committed to Him. We teach our children and grandchildren God's Word, we model before them to the best of our ability how to follow Christ and pray for them to commit their lives to Him.

In reality, no family will be truly "functional" til we get to Heaven and sin is eradicated. But, until then, we must contine to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness", love each other, forgive each other and pray for each other without ceasing.

OPEN THE BOOK

Noelle could tell that Jackie seemed uncomfortable when she first invited her to Bible study.  Jackie quickly changed the subject and Noelle could tell that she was hoping that she would not push it.

Her reaction made Noelle very sad.  She loves the Lord so much and wanted her sweet friend to share in the joy of her relationship with Him.  Yet she also knew that Jackie did not attend church nor had she ever heard her mention the Lord.  But it was not as if she were an atheist either.  On the contrary, Noelle knew that Jackie had grown up going to church, her family still attended church, and she had certainly never heard her say anything negative about church or God.

Noelle couldn't help but wonder if her friend ever read the Bible.  Did she own one?   It was not a question she had ever asked before. 

As the two friends continued chatting over lunch, Noelle found herself wondering how Jackie had gone all these years without a relationship with the Lord.  He was such a huge part of her own life, she could not imagine how anyone could truly have a life without Him.  Yet obviously her friend did.  How could she make her see what she was missing, Noelle silently wondered. 

Are their any "Jackie's" in your life?  Or maybe you are a Jackie. 

God is not really on your priority list and you feel like life is OK without Him.   It's not that you do not believe in God. You do.  You also believe in the Bible.  You believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross.  You have nothing against those who go to church on a regular basis.  Somehow you just never have gotten around to that or when you tried to find a church, you just never felt comfortable there.  You think it's great that people like Noelle love to study the Bible, but it's not something you are really interested in.  You aren't really sure WHY people choose to study it to be quite honest.  Maybe it seems like a stuffy book to you or one that is too hard to comprehend.  Maybe you feel like it's a book about people who lived thousands of years ago and has nothing to say to you in 2010. 

May I share with you that the Bible is way, way more than that!!  It is by far the most interesting, compelling book to ever be written.  It has stood the test of time and has remained on the best seller list for hundreds of years despite those who would have destroyed it if they could.  They cannot because it is God's Word...literally.  It is the holy, inspired Word of God.  God breathed.  God ordained.  God designed. 

John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word WAS God!"  God IS the Living Word.  It is the only book in the world like it.  When you choose to read and study the Word, God blesses you.  You are "ingesting" Him and His words become a part of you. 

The Bible reveals the character of God.  You cannot have a relationship with Him until you recognize WHO He is.  His word reveals that.  Just in the book of Psalms alone there are hundreds of definitions for WHO HE IS.

Strong high tower

Refuge

Rock

Redeemer

Lifter up of our head

Mighty

Holy

Righteous

Buckler

Defender

Just to name a few.  From Genesis to Revelation He is revealed.  You begin in Genesis at his feet and wind up in Revelation looking Him in the eye. 

There is no other book that will so change your life as the Word of God. 

It doesn't matter if you have never read it before, or studied it or even know the books of the Bible.  You just have to start somewhere.  There are numerous translations to choose from, too, so that you can find one that makes it easier to understand.  I personally like the old King James version because that is what I've grown up on, but next to that I also like the Holman translation, the NIV (New International Version), and the New King James.  

Bible studies are not for "intellectual types", as obviously Jackie seemed to think.  Quite the contrary.  They are a place where anyone can go and begin to learn.  They usually focus on a book of the Bible or a topic and are a great way to get introduced to the Word if you have never had much exposure in the past. 

The important thing is to start.   So if you have not opened a Bible in a while, I encourage you to pick up one today.  You have nothing to lose and whole lot to gain.  If you need a recommendation for a Bible study, I'd be happy to give you a list. 

"Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek Him with their whole heart." Psalm 119: 2

"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119: 11

"Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy word." Psalm 119: 18

A TIP OF THE HAT

How often does Jesus come to your mind in a given week?

Do you converse with Him throughout your day or do you occasionally yell for help when something goes wrong?

Many people believe in God....they give mental assent to the fact of His existence. They would even admit to the occasional prayer. They might own a Bible which they carry to church from time to time. But James says "You believe there is one God? You do well...the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2: 19

I know many people who profess to be Christians who have not opened their Bible in years EXCEPT on Sunday mornings, who only pray when they are in trouble and who rarely think of Jesus except on Sundays or when they or someone they know use His name in vain.

In essence, they tip their hat to Jesus and say "Thanks for dying for me on that cross. Appreciate the ticket to Heaven. See ya up there one day!" and go about their merry way. Does that describe YOU?

What does Jesus REALLY mean to you? Do you REALLY know Him at all? Do you have a RELATIONSHIP with Him? You can and I assure you that it will change your life.

Everyone must make a decision regarding Jesus. EVERYONE.

You can choose to reject Him.

You can choose to tip your hat to Him.

You can choose to call Him Savior and Lord and have a one-on-one relationship, up close and personal.

It is your choice, but it will impact you for all eternity and for every day til then.

FALL OR RISE?

"This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come...." II Timothy 3:1

Yesterday was a disastrous day in the life of our country. Life as we have known it will never be the same after the passing of the Healthcare Reform Bill by Congress.

Things have been escalating in Israel for the past several weeks. The U.S., always a firm ally of Israel in the past, has been at odds with them over their strong stance to continue building settlements in Jerusalem. Our President has been making untold numbers of DEMANDS upon them and the tensions between him and Israeli Prime Minister Netayahu have grown greater and greater.

In prophetic scripture there are numerous countries that are mentioned....Russia, Israel, Syria, and other middle eastern nations. There is nothing about America. No Biblical reference to anything that could be deemed as America. The Bible is silent where we are concerned.

It makes one wonder....could possibly the FALL of America be the ushering in or at least bringing us one step closer to the RISE of the church? Specifically, the Rapture!? "For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain [on earth] shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord". I Thessalonians 4: 16, 17.

If so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!!!!!!!!! Come!!

But until then "comfort one another with these words....warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward ALL men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus conerning you. Quench not the Spirit....test all things and hold fast that which is good. Abstain from every appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit an dsoul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." I Thes. 4:18, 5: 14-23

THE RAPTURE

Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins wrote a phenomenal series of books based on the scriptures regarding the rapture of the church and the days that are to follow. Although this was a fiction book, it held very closely to scripture and gave the reader a good idea of what it may actually be like when that wonderful day arrives.

The word 'rapture' is not actually used in the Bible. I Thessalonians 4: 15-17 describes it this way:


For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them which are asleep [dead]
for the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we
which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.


The LEFT BEHIND series written by LaHaye and Jenkins did quite a job of painting a picture of just what it will be like on that day. Imagine with me for a moment, if you will, that you are driving to Walmart in your car. Suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye (which is faster than you can blink) we are gone! Cars will go crashing into others as drivers vanish. Planes, trains and all sorts of transportation will suddenly crash as drivers, pilots and engineers are no longer at their controls. Cashiers will vanish from their cash registers. Nail techs and hairdressers will leave customers with their hair and nails half done. Doctors will be examining a patient and suddenly the patient will no longer be on the table. Dentists will be extracting a tooth one moment and the next their chair will be empty...or maybe the patient and the densist will BOTH be gone and the hygienist will be left. I am convinced that should the rapture occur on a Sunday, there will be both preachers and pew sitters left in the churches in many churches across this land.

Yes, it is going to be quite a day as thousands of believers are caught up into the air with the Lord Jesus to meet Him in the air while the world is flung wildly into chaos and CNN goes into overdrive to explain these wild and crazy happenings. I have a feeling it will be just as it is portrayed in LEFT BEHIND. Lots of theories will surmise what happened...from UFO snatchings to terrorism to some sort of vaporization.

But, make no mistake, it WILL happen. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. No one knows the day nor the hour. But, it IS coming. And oh what a day that will be!!

And to be quite honest...I am looking more and more forward to that day.

Many Bible scholars feel it could be very near. There are no further prophecies that have to be fulfilled before it occurs. So according to scripture it COULD be any day. Or, it could be decades or centuries away...we do not know.

But it does give us hope to think about it in light of the downward spiral that our world seems to be taking. As Revelation 22: 20 says "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus."

THE POWER OF HIS WORD

"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word WAS God....All things were made by Him and without Him was not any thing made that was made" John 1: 1,2

"In the beginning God created the Heaven and earth.........and God SAID 'Let there be light' and there was light....

And God SAID 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters....[and it was]...

And God SAID ' Let the waters under the Heaven be gathered together in one place and let the dry land appear, and it was so....

And God SAID 'Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed after his kind and the tree yielding fruit...after his kind....[and it was so]

And God SAID 'Let there be light....and it was so...

And God SAID 'Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creatures that have life and fowl that may fly above the earth...[and it was so]

And God SAID 'Let the earth bring forth the living creatures ....and it was so" Genesis 1: 1-24 KJV

The power of God's Word. God SPOKE the world into existence! Think about that for just a minute. At a point in time, God who had ALWAYS been, decided to create the earth. He literally spoke and it was so! Try to imagine that in your mind with me, if you will.

Total blackness, void of anything tangible. No light, no planets, no solar system, no stars, no moon, no ANYTHING. Just God. And then out of the blackness of nothingness, God spoke and the earth was formed, spinning perfectly on its axis out in the galaxy. And once again, He spoke and light broke the darkness wide open!! He flung the sun, the moon and the stars into that blackness and darkness was no more!

Just one word and the waters drew together into bodies of water...the seas, the oceans, the rivers. By His Word, it all came together.

He spoke again to the prophets of old and by divine inspiration, they penned the words He gave to them. We call it our Bible. We hold HIS WORDS in the palm of our hands. That powerful, life giving, world creating Word. The Word John says IS God. It is infused with Him. Can you fathom the power that we hold in our hands as we read His Holy Word?

Yet we toss it to the side amongst the newspaper, the gardening magazine, the crossword puzzle and the TV Guide. Some rarely pick it up except to dust it off and carry it to church each Sunday. That is the only time it is opened all week. Others sit it on a shelf and NEVER read it. Yet others around the globe, risk their lives to just have a copy of it and they have to hide theirs to protect it and their lives.

It has stood the test of time. Many other books have come and gone. The Bible still stands. It is notably the most read, most published book of all time. According to the Internet Public Library "No one really know how many copies of the Bible have been written, sold or distributed. The Bible Society's attempt to calculate the number printed between 1816 and 1975 produced the figure of 2, 458,000,000. A more recent survey for the years up to 1992, put it closer to 6,000,000,000 in more than 2,000 languages and dialects. Whatever the precise figure, the Bible is by far the best selling book of all time." Most other sources I checked also rated The Bible as the number one book of all time. Not surprising. Matthew 24:36 says "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

Pick up your Bible today. Recognize that it is not an ordinary book. It is the very WORD of God, the same powerful Word that spoke the world into existence and by that same Word, the earth is kept in existence. One day He will speak again, and the Heavens will open and Jesus will return!! Let's not take for granted the power of God's Word, but rather allow it to fill us and change us and make us more like Him.