The Christian Home By Rev . Pau l B ay le s Pa sto r, Centinela Hible Church H aw thorn e 9 California
HELP WANTED : An experienced Christian, radio salesman or sales-announcer combination. Please contact: Radio K G V W Belgrade, Montana. (Free Catalog Upon Request)
'p u t t ie
F A S T MA IL ORDER SERVICE Biola Book Room on Records, Christian Supplies, Gospel Literature
reflecting it. This he must do! 3. Children bom to Christian couples, during the early years, can enrich the home and add purpose to marriage. As the hunter’s arrows are shot from the bow, making contact where he is not, just so, children brought up in the climate of a peaceful Christian home can be expected to live happily and usefully long after the parents have passed on. Many modern couples postpone parenthood until material advantages are gained. Perhaps this is often wise, but on the other hand who can say when enough appliances and luxuries have been accumulated? Postponement can often bring frustra tion. This is not to say that “ having children” is the solution to marital frustrations. It is interesting to note that children are not mentioned in the Psalm until particular matters of fear and anxiety are faced and over come. When these are extreme, chil dren will only compound them. Per haps these factors are the most impor tant in planning parenthood. 4. Studies have been conducted which reveal that married men with families more readily succeed in business and more quickly acquire trust from their employers. The will to succeed and provide for the family becomes a wholesome drive in a man’s career. When a man understands that his vo cation is the most important area of his life, a loving and understanding wife and family will encourage him to succeed, not to keep up with the neighbors, but for his own sense of achievement. Our Psalm describes the man as being “in the gate.” This was a place of leadership in the city. One of the plagues of human life is the “ sense of futility.” This is not the result of inactivity alone. Solomon’s life was full of action, wealth, glamour and romance, yet he felt useless. He said, “ Futility of futilities, all is futile” (Berkeley). The homemaker’s life is full of duty and action, yet seldom do husbands and wives feel a sense of achievement. Perhaps the answer lies in the spiritual dimen sion — building, establishing and earning hand in hand with the Lord. Christian couples need to feel that their work is good and worthy in the eyes of God.
U n l e s s the Lord build the house I (or, found a family), their labor is futile who build it” (Psalm 127, Berkeley Version and footnote). How very refreshing to realize that God desires to help to establish a home and a family. To trust the Heavenly Father, who understands and loves, will give the Christian couple a great deal of stability. Unless the Lord does found the home, much of the effort we expend in trying to improve it is futile. When He is honored, Divine help and direction may be ex pected. The following paragraphs in the Psalm seem to infer the rewards of a Christian home. 1. Christian couples need not be over whelmed by fear. Our confidence and security are not limited to the ability of the “ sentry” or the effectiveness of the local sheriffs patrol. The Lord is our protector. Very often, fear will destroy the peace that should char acterize a home. Husbands and wives often fear and distrust each other, their friends, their responsibilities, their parenthood, their health, secur- * ity, future and present. These fears must be faced honestly, perhaps with the help of a competent counselor. They must be evaluated for what they really are. 2. Christian couples need not be tor mented with anxieties. Homes that are harassed by worry are described by the Psalmist as houses where par ents frantically retire late, rise early, and toss restlessly during the few hours between, ruining health and accomplishing nothing. With no trust in the ability or willingness of God to provide, when they have done their part, they eat their food with “ anx ious toil” (Moffat) and suffer the consequences to body and mind. The whole picture is one of confusion, dis organization, and futility. How much better it is to believe that God is in terested in your home life; that He can help you leam to live cheerfully within your income, accepting its limitations and challenges. In our day of economic unrest, when employment is sometimes unsure, shops and offices reek with anxiety. The Christian laborer, trusting in his God, can help to change that environment instead of
560 SOUTH HOPE STREET LOS ANGELES 17, CALIFORNIA
Send to Prayer Time, The King’s Business maga zine, 558 So. Hope, Los Angeles 17, California.
The profusely-illustrated monthly WORLD VISION MAGAZINE contains thrilling missionary reports and stories by Dr. Bob Pierce, master missionary-storyteller and World Vision’s president, along with accounts of his worldwide ministry. It also presents timely articles to keep you informed on current events that affect missionary enterprise,, devotionals, photo-features, news, book reviews and practical suggestions for emphasizing missions at home as well as in the church and Sunday school. It is an eloquent, moving voice for the whole cause of missions—a plea for your missionary, and a most valuable help to you in fulfilling your part in 'God’s Great Commission. Send coupon for your FREE MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION WOR LD V I S I ON D-109, BOX 0, Pasadena, Calif. Please add my .name to your FREE subscription list for W orld Vision M agazine.
Dept.
□
i name__ address, city,----- jap mm mm mm BHR MNMS 4BK8S* W&a&BS
.(----) state.
mhos •amm HMC MRS fSm 9HR n i fin i
42
THE KING'S BUSINESS
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker