“Lord, bless our home, protect our home; Let it be a refuge in this world of sin.  Lord, reign within, keep us strong and true: And when we need You most, Lord, draw us close, committed to each other.  Lord, bless our home: we give our home to you.” - lyrics, Lord Bless Our Home

Today, there is an urgent need to the recovery of our homes - spiritually.  There are so many “gods” (i.e. those things that battle for our hearts or take priority over the things of God) vying for our attention.  One of the most important roles of the Father’s is to be that spiritual leader of our household.  Jacob in the Old Testament (Genesis) had to learn this the hard way, via crisis, as most of us do unfortunately.  God told him to go back to Bethel (“the house of God”), and remember the vows he once made.  Jacob realized that he must “clean house.”  That is, he was to instruct and lead his household, by example, to put away the foreign gods and purify themselves.  By the grace of God, Jacob heeded the voice of God calling unto him to go back to Bethel.  God instituted and ordained the home, and it is only truly blessed when we heed His voice and build by His design (“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” - Psalm 127).  I am thankful for my earthly father (“Dad”).  He has been such a great example and support for me through the years and today.  My father’s greatest example though is his return to the “house of God.”  Me and my Dad have not always got it right, but by the grace of God we have both “returned to Bethel.” - how about you?

In His Service,

Pastor Rodney