Christ at the Center: Strengthening Marriages through the First Pillar

Marriage, in its truest and holiest form, is not a human invention nor a mere social contract. It is a sacred covenant ordained by the Almighty in the very beginning. Genesis 2:24 (NLT) declares, “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This union, this divine mystery, was not meant to be navigated by human strength alone. It was always meant to be guided and sustained by the hand of God.

In today’s world, marriage is often subjected to the pressures of culture, career, convenience, and even compromise. But when we reflect upon the First Pillar—The Importance of God and Keeping Him as Your Focus—we find the foundation upon which every godly marriage must be built. If God is not the cornerstone of a marriage, then the structure, no matter how beautifully adorned, is inherently unstable.

The challenges that married couples face—miscommunication, unmet expectations, financial stress, the distractions of worldly pursuits—are not unfamiliar to God. He designed the covenant, and He sustains it. Therefore, it is only by placing Him at the center that marriages can thrive in both peace and purpose.

As we explore this message, I invite you to look deeply into your own relationships and examine whether the Lord truly stands at the center—or has He been quietly pushed to the side? Let us journey together to rediscover the sacred strength that flows from a marriage rooted in the First Pillar.

Many couples enter into marriage with a strong desire for emotional and physical closeness, and rightly so. These are sacred and beautiful elements of the marital relationship. Yet, far too often, they are pursued while spiritual intimacy is overlooked or even neglected altogether. But herein lies the profound truth: when a couple grows together spiritually, every other area of their relationship is strengthened and sanctified.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, speaks of setting our sights on the realities of heaven. When both husband and wife turn their eyes toward God, they are no longer journeying separately but are drawn together, step by step, on the same divine path. The more each spouse seeks after Christ, the more their hearts converge in unity, grace, and mutual understanding.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) offers this timeless wisdom: “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” That third strand—often overlooked—is the very presence of Christ in the center of the marriage. He is the strength that binds, the grace that restores, and the peace that steadies.

Spiritual intimacy takes root when couples:

• Pray together, inviting God into both their joys and struggles.
• Read and reflect upon Scripture together, allowing the Word of God to shape their hearts and decisions.
• Worship together, acknowledging the sovereignty of the One who sustains them.
• Fast and seek guidance together, particularly during times of uncertainty or transition.

In our own marriage, my wife and I have discovered the immeasurable blessing of setting aside time for spiritual discipline. Each morning, we begin our day with a devotional, grounding our hearts and minds in God’s Word before we face the world. Each evening, we return together in prayer, lifting up our burdens, our thanks, and our petitions before the Lord. These moments are not hurried obligations, but sacred appointments—time we gladly and reverently dedicate to our Lord and to one another. In doing so, we not only draw closer to God, but to each other, building a bond that is strengthened daily by grace and truth.

When spiritual intimacy is nurtured, a marriage becomes a testimony to the world: not of perfection, but of perseverance, transformation, and divine partnership.

It is one thing to know that God should be the center of a marriage—it is another to live that truth daily, intentionally, and with unwavering commitment. The First Pillar—The Importance of God and Keeping Him as Your Focus—is not a one-time decision made at the altar; it is a daily, deliberate act of faithfulness, surrender, and obedience.

In our hurried and often chaotic lives, spiritual habits must be cultivated and protected. A Christ-centered marriage doesn’t just happen by accident; it is built over time by two hearts fully submitted to the Lord.

Here are several ways couples can embody the First Pillar each day:

Pray together with purpose. Prayer doesn’t need to be long or poetic; it needs only to be honest and united. Begin the day by inviting God to lead, and end the day by giving thanks and lifting up each other’s burdens.

Read and reflect on Scripture together. Even a short passage read aloud can open the door to rich conversation and shared understanding. The Word of God acts as a lamp to your path—not just individually, but as one flesh.

Attend church and serve together. Worshiping in community reinforces your spiritual foundation and models faithfulness to those around you, especially children and younger couples who look to your example.

Set spiritual goals as a couple. Whether it’s memorizing Scripture, reading through the Bible in a year, or taking time for fasting and reflection, shared spiritual goals unite hearts and align them with God’s will.

Guard your time and your hearts. Cancel what doesn’t bring you closer to Christ or each other. Replace distractions with disciplines. Reclaim dinner tables for conversation, living rooms for devotionals, and moments of stress for supplication.

My wife and I have made it a daily practice to begin each morning with a devotion and end each evening in prayer. These are not simply habits—they are lifelines. In those quiet moments, we invite the Lord to dwell among us, to shape our hearts, to guide our thoughts, and to strengthen our union. This commitment has not only deepened our relationship with God but also enriched our love and respect for one another.

When couples anchor their lives to God, their marriage becomes more than a relationship—it becomes a ministry. It reflects Christ’s love to the world and brings glory to the One who joined them together. It becomes a beacon of hope in a culture that has forgotten the sacredness of marriage.

The First Pillar reminds us that God must not merely be included in our marriages—He must be enthroned. He must be the center, the source, and the sustainer. When we keep our focus fixed on Him, our marriages are strengthened against the winds of adversity and the erosion of time.

May your marriage be a living testimony to God’s faithfulness—a place where love is sacrificial, forgiveness is swift, and joy is abundant because Christ reigns supreme in every word, every decision, and every moment.

So, I say to you, “May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.”

The Center of Love: Why God Must Be the Center of Our Lives

There is a question that often arises in the hearts of many—sometimes spoken aloud, and other times pondered in the quiet recesses of the soul: “Why should God be the center of my life?” It is a fair question in a world filled with distractions, competing loyalties, and endless demands on our attention. In a society that urges us to center our lives around careers, ambitions, relationships, or even personal fulfillment, the idea of placing God at the very core of our existence may seem unusual or even impractical.

But I would answer this question with a statement that turns the perspective completely around: God should be the center of our lives because He made us the center of His. Before we ever knew Him, before we were formed in the womb, and before a single breath escaped our lungs, God had already set His divine affection upon us. As Scripture proclaims in 1 John 4:19 (NLT), “We love each other because he loved us first.” The very ability to love—to love God, to love one another—is a reflection of His initiating love toward us.

God’s love is not abstract or philosophical. It is deeply personal and sacrificial. Jesus Himself affirmed this when He declared, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16–17, NLT). That is not the love of a distant deity. That is the intimate and selfless love of a Father who places His children at the center of His redemptive plan.

Thus, when we speak of the first pillar of a God-centered life—the importance of keeping God as the focus of everything—we are not advocating for a cold religious ritual. We are responding to a holy relationship that God Himself initiated. It is not about obligation, but about devotion. It is not about performance, but about presence—His presence in every part of our lives.

As we continue, we will explore how God’s love came first, what it cost Him, and how our response must be a life centered wholly upon Him. Let us now turn our hearts to that foundation of divine love that beckons us closer.

When we reflect upon the nature of our love for God, it is essential to understand that it is always a response, never an initiation. The Apostle John declares this foundational truth plainly in 1 John 4:19 (NLT): “We love each other because he loved us first.” That simple, powerful statement anchors our faith and compels us to reorder our lives around the One who reached for us before we could even grasp His name.

But the beauty of God's initiating love does not begin in the New Testament. It stretches all the way back to the dawn of time, in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 1:26–27 (NLT), we read, “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.’ … So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Unlike any other creature, mankind was crafted in the image and likeness of the Almighty. This was not an afterthought or an incidental detail of creation—this was the very heart of His design. He did not merely speak us into being as He did with the stars and seas. When it came to humanity, He formed us with divine intention and intimacy.

Even more profoundly, Genesis 2:7 (NLT) tells us, “Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” Consider the tenderness in that moment. The Creator stooped down to shape us from the dust, and then He did something He did not do for any other living creature—He breathed His own breath into us. His breath became our life. That divine breath still animates us today, reminding us with every inhale that we were made by Him and for Him.

Such love and intentionality cannot be ignored. From the very beginning, God made us the center of His creative focus. He made us in His image. He gave us His breath. And when we strayed, He gave us His Son. Everything about God's relationship with humanity reveals a love that precedes us, surrounds us, and calls us home.

So when we ask why God should be at the center of our lives, the answer is etched in both dust and divinity. He formed us. He breathed into us. He loved us first. The only fitting response is to return that love with our whole hearts, placing Him at the center of all we are and all we do.

If the story of God’s love began in the Garden with His breath in our lungs, it reached its glorious climax at Calvary with His Son upon the cross. In John 3:16–17 (NLT), we find a familiar passage—so often quoted that its power can be overlooked if we are not careful. Yet within these two verses lies the deepest truth our hearts can ever embrace: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

Let us pause and truly absorb what this means. God did not merely say He loves us—He demonstrated it by giving us what was most precious to Him: His only begotten Son. This was not a gift offered out of abundance, but a sacrifice offered from the deepest place of love. When the Father sent Jesus into the world, He did not do so to condemn us, though He had every right to. Instead, He came to rescue us from the very judgment our sin had earned.

We must see the cross not as a symbol of guilt, but as the purest expression of divine love. It is there that love was nailed to wood and crowned with thorns. It is there that the same God who breathed life into Adam willingly gave up His own breath so that we might live eternally. That is what it means when we say that God gave His best.

This sacrificial act reveals God's unrelenting pursuit of our hearts. He did not abandon His creation when sin entered the world. He did not give up when we rejected Him time and again. Instead, He gave Himself. The God who formed us from the dust and filled us with His breath also bore the weight of our sin and carried it to Golgotha.

If God made us the center of His creation and then gave His very best to redeem us, how can we possibly relegate Him to the margins of our lives? How can we keep Him at arm’s length when His arms were stretched wide in love for us?

This is the heart of the Gospel and the heart of the first pillar—that our lives should revolve entirely around God because He has already revolved His divine plan around us. We are the objects of His grace, the recipients of His mercy, and the reason He endured the cross. This love is not casual—it is covenantal. It does not ask for a portion of our attention—it demands our entire allegiance.

When we understand what God gave, how can we not give Him everything in return?

When we are confronted with the depth of God’s love—formed in creation, confirmed in Christ, and poured out through the cross—there can only be one appropriate response: to place Him at the very center of our lives. This is not merely an emotional reaction to divine affection; it is an act of sacred devotion. We align our lives around God not out of ritual or fear, but out of reverence and love.

To make God the center of our lives means that every decision, every ambition, every relationship, and every moment is filtered through His presence and guided by His Word. It is the daily act of surrender—rising each morning with the prayer, “Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.” It is the deliberate reorientation of our hearts away from self and toward the Savior who gave Himself for us.

When God is at the center, love becomes our motivation, not obligation. We no longer seek to earn His approval, for we already have it in Christ. Instead, we live in joyful response to His grace. We serve not because we must, but because we long to. We give not because we are compelled, but because we are grateful. We forgive, not because it is easy, but because we have been forgiven.

This is the essence of true worship—not confined to a church building or a Sunday morning service, but lived out in the rhythms of ordinary life. Worship is not just what we sing with our lips, but how we live with our lives. As Romans 12:1 reminds us, our bodies and choices are to be presented as “a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

God must be the center of our lives because He is the source of our life. From His breath in Eden to the blood of Calvary, everything we are is owed to Him. When we drift from that center, we lose our sense of direction, purpose, and peace. But when we return to Him—when we reestablish Him as the axis upon which our entire existence turns—we find not only our identity but our eternal hope.

The first pillar calls us to this very life: a God-centered life. It is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment, a moment-by-moment choice to let Him lead, guide, and shape every part of who we are. It is in keeping God at the center that we become most fully alive, most deeply rooted, and most richly blessed.

Beloved, we have walked through the story of love—beginning in the Garden, where God shaped man with His hands and gave him breath with His own Spirit; moving through the pages of Scripture, where God's love was revealed time and time again; and culminating on a rugged cross, where He gave His one and only Son so that we might have life. We are not spectators to this love—we are its beneficiaries. And with such great love bestowed upon us, we must now ask a soul-searching question: What will we do in response?

Is God truly the center of your life? Or has He been gently pushed to the side, replaced by the fleeting priorities of this world? We must be honest with ourselves, for the Lord desires not a portion of our hearts but their entirety. He desires not a place among many but to reign supreme as the center, the anchor, the foundation of everything.

The first pillar—the importance of keeping God as your focus—is not a theological concept to merely discuss. It is a life to be lived. And it begins by acknowledging that we are not our own. We belong to the One who formed us, redeemed us, and sustains us. He must be our first thought in the morning, our guiding hand throughout the day, and our comfort and rest in the evening hours.

I encourage you today to examine your life. What sits at the center of your thoughts, your ambitions, your decisions? Is it comfort? Career? Control? Or is it Christ? Because only when God is at the center will the rest of life fall into place. Only then will our love be rightly ordered, our purpose clearly understood, and our steps firmly directed.

So I challenge you, dear friends, not just to feel love for God—but to live it. Let your life reflect the divine order He established from the beginning. Love Him first. Love Him most. And make Him the center—not merely in word, but in deed. Let everything you do—how you work, how you speak, how you serve, how you love others—be a reflection of the truth that God loved you first.

And let us remember, as we close, that living with God at the center will shape how we love one another. The love that begins in our Creator flows through us into every relationship we touch. In this way, our God-centered life becomes a living testimony to a world in need of that very same love.

So, I say to you, "May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence."

Faith Begins at Home

Before there were churches, before there were kings, and before any human institutions were formed, God, in His infinite wisdom, ordained the family. In the garden of Eden, God declared, “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one” (Genesis 2:24, NLT). The family, therefore, is not a product of culture or human design—it is divine in origin.

As Paul writes to Timothy, a young pastor charged with shepherding the church in Ephesus, he does not shy away from the foundational matters of the faith. In 1 Timothy 5:8 (NLT), we find this sobering declaration: “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” These words are not simply a command—they are a piercing indictment of what it means to neglect the sacred calling to care for one’s family.

The Second Pillar of a God-Centered Life, The Importance of Family, is not just a value we hold dear; it is a responsibility woven into the very fabric of our faith. Our homes must reflect our devotion to God, not only in prayer and worship but in compassion, provision, and everyday sacrifice. A strong and faithful walk with the Lord begins not in public worship but in the quiet, unseen moments of familial faithfulness.

In this message, we will explore why Paul placed such high importance on caring for one’s household, how this care is directly tied to our profession of faith, and what it means today to live out the Gospel starting at home. For if we fail to love and lead within our own walls, how can we expect to be credible ambassadors for Christ beyond them?

The Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration, does not mince words in 1 Timothy 5:8. The verse is a striking admonition: “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” Such language demands our full attention, for it draws a line not merely between belief and unbelief, but between genuine faith and hypocrisy.

At the heart of Paul’s instruction is the understanding that our care for family is not optional—it is spiritual. To neglect the needs of those within our household is not merely a failure of responsibility; it is a denial of the very faith we claim to possess. In a world where faith is often seen as what one professes with their lips, Scripture reminds us that faith is more accurately measured by what we practice with our lives.

Paul was addressing a specific context in the early church—how to care for widows and dependent family members—but the principle applies universally. A person who claims to follow Christ but fails to meet the needs of their own family brings reproach upon the Gospel. In fact, Paul says that such a person is worse than an unbeliever—not because they have sinned more grievously, but because their conduct undermines the truth they claim to uphold.

Let us be clear: the faith we carry into the world must be born in the home. It is not enough to serve on church committees or speak eloquently of theology if one is neglectful, dismissive, or absent when it comes to the well-being of their spouse, their children, or their aging parents. If our faith is real, it will first manifest in daily, tangible acts of love and provision within our household.

There is a sacredness to family care. Whether it is ensuring food is on the table, listening with patience, or praying with and for your loved ones, each act of love becomes a living testimony of Christ’s love within us. The spiritual weight of this responsibility cannot be overstated—it is a foundational expression of true, Christ-centered discipleship.

If the Church is the body of Christ, then the family is its beating heart. It is within the sacred space of our homes that the Gospel is first seen, heard, and either confirmed or contradicted. Yet in our modern age, the nuclear family faces relentless assault—not only from cultural norms that devalue marriage and parental roles, but from a spirit of distraction that fractures unity and silences godly engagement.

Paul’s warning in 1 Timothy 5:8 is not isolated from today’s realities. Fathers, once recognized as spiritual heads of the household, are often absent—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Mothers, overwhelmed and under-supported, struggle to carry burdens they were never meant to bear alone. Children are frequently raised by digital devices instead of parents, and shared meals have become times of isolation, where faces glow not from candlelight or conversation, but from cell phone screens.

This was not God’s design.

The family was intended to be the first sanctuary, the first classroom, the first congregation. It is within the home that children are to be taught the Word of God (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). It is where husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25), and where wives respect and support their husbands (Ephesians 5:33). It is the very soil in which the next generation of disciples is to be planted and nurtured.

And yet, we see the sacred undone by the secular. We see commitment traded for convenience. Conversations replaced by notifications. Covenant love dismantled by casual living.

If we are to reclaim our homes for Christ, we must restore the family as our first ministry field. That means fathers must rise and reclaim their God-given role as spiritual leaders—not through domination, but through devotion. It means families must carve out time to read Scripture, pray together, and speak life to one another. It means putting down devices, turning off the noise, and being fully present in the sacred fellowship of home.

Our homes should echo with hymns, with laughter, with loving correction, and with grace. This is not a fantasy—it is a holy calling. The Church will never be stronger than the families that compose it. The Second Pillar—The Importance of Family—is not an accessory to faith. It is its very proving ground.

The enemy is subtle. He does not always attack the family with a sword—sometimes he does so with a screen, a schedule, or a subtle shift in values. One of the greatest challenges of our time is not open rebellion, but quiet neglect. Families are not always torn apart by storms—they often drift apart slowly in silence.

We live in a world where busyness is worn like a badge of honor. Parents are stretched thin, chasing after promotions, extracurriculars, social obligations, and digital distractions. But in this relentless pursuit of more, something sacred is often left behind: the intentional care and spiritual nurturing of the family. Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 5:8 expose this danger. We may be busy “doing good,” but if we are failing our family, we are failing our faith.

How many fathers have sacrificed spiritual leadership for career advancement? How many mothers are so overburdened that they have no time to reflect on their own spiritual well-being, let alone guide their children in it? How many children are being raised not with God’s Word, but by YouTube, TikTok, and whatever ideology comes through their feeds? And how often do families sit in the same room, each lost in their own digital world, strangers to one another in heart and soul?

This is not just a cultural concern—it is a spiritual crisis.

The Word of God does not conform to the times—it confronts them. We are called to steward our families with reverence, attentiveness, and sacrificial love. Stewardship means more than providing financially—it means being emotionally available, spiritually engaged, and relationally invested. It means saying no to the good so we can say yes to the godly.

Our faith must interrupt our routines. It must reclaim our time and rearrange our priorities. If our family life does not reflect our faith, then we are not truly living by faith. Paul’s rebuke is a holy warning: when we neglect our family, especially those in our own household, we do violence to the Gospel we profess.

But there is hope. Always hope. The Holy Spirit empowers us to reset, to return, to restore. The first step is recognizing that our home is not a side concern—it is the front lines of spiritual warfare. We must rise with courage, humility, and conviction to take it back.

If ever there were a moment when a person could be excused from concern for family—when the weight of divine mission, physical suffering, and eternal consequence might overshadow earthly relationships—it would be at Calvary. And yet, Jesus, from the cross, paused amid His agony to ensure the care of His mother. In John 19:26–27 (NLT), we read: “When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And he said to this disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his home.”

Let the weight of that moment rest upon us. Jesus, pierced and dying, still fulfilled His duty as a Son. He modeled for us a love that does not forsake family, even when burdened with the salvation of the world. That is more than a gesture—it is a divine testimony to the sacred bond of family.

Our Savior did not only preach love—He lived it, and in His final breaths, He honored it. We are to do the same.

Today, many seek to live out their faith in public spaces, in platforms, in ministries, and missions. But our first and foremost calling is to live out our faith in our homes. That is where love must first be seen. That is where forgiveness must take root. That is where Christ must be enthroned.

Every word we speak to our spouse in love, every prayer whispered over a sleeping child, every tear shed in intercession for a wayward son or daughter—these are the true marks of a living faith. A family rooted in Christ is a witness that preaches louder than any pulpit ever could.

Paul’s charge to Timothy was not about institutional caretaking alone—it was about embodying Christ in the most personal and practical way: by honoring those whom God has placed in our charge. Whether aging parents, young children, or struggling relatives, the home is where our theology becomes our testimony.

And so, we are reminded that the Second Pillar—The Importance of Family—is not an accessory to faith but an essential fruit of it. Our families are not perfect, but when they are grounded in Christ, they become places of grace, discipleship, restoration, and peace.

We have heard the Word. We have felt its weight. Now we must respond—not merely with agreement, but with action. For the family, as God designed it, is not a social convenience; it is a sacred covenant. It is where faith is forged, where love is lived, and where Christ is first known.

Paul’s charge in 1 Timothy 5:8 stands not as a relic of ancient instruction, but as a burning standard for today. “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” These are not words to gloss over—they are words to awaken us. For what good is it to profess Christ if we deny Him in our homes?

So today, I call upon you—fathers, rise up and become the spiritual leaders of your families. Your children need more than provision—they need prayerful direction. Your wives need more than support—they need to see your faith in action, lived out in humility and strength.

Mothers, your nurturing hands shape the soul of the household. Never underestimate the power of your love, your prayers, your perseverance. You are not just raising children—you are raising future disciples.

Sons and daughters, honor those who raised you. Whether you are still under your parents’ roof or now raising families of your own, do not forget the commandment: “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12, NLT). Let respect, gratitude, and reconciliation be the fruit of your walk in Christ.

And to all—put down your phones at the dinner table. Turn off the noise. Reclaim conversation. Rediscover what it means to share a meal, to pray aloud, to weep together, to laugh without distraction. Let your homes ring not with the silence of disengagement but with the sound of godly fellowship.

If your family has fractured, pray. If communication has dried up, speak. If leadership has been abdicated, return. The Lord is merciful and ready to restore what the world has tried to tear down. But we must act—deliberately, urgently, prayerfully.

Let today be the day you recommit to the sacred stewardship of your home. The Second Pillar—The Importance of Family—demands no less. For in caring for those within your household, you proclaim a faith that is not only confessed with the lips but lived with the heart.

So, I say to you, "May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence."

The Importance of Family

In the continuing journey through the four foundational pillars that shape a God-centered life, we come now to the second pillar: the importance of family. Last week, we laid the cornerstone by declaring the essential truth that God must remain the center of all we are and all we do. Today, we turn to the next divine priority—the sacred institution of family, created by God, nurtured in His love, and designed to be the first earthly expression of our faith.

As we begin, let us open our hearts to the conviction and instruction of the Word of God in 1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV). 

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

These words are sobering. They remind us that family is not a casual obligation—it is a spiritual mandate. It is a trust given to us by God that must be guarded, nurtured, and honored.

From the very beginning, family was established by the hand of God. In Genesis 2:24, we read, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

In this sacred moment, the covenant of marriage was instituted, and the foundation for the family was laid. This was not a human invention, but a divine design.

Family is God’s first institution, predating the church and government. It is within the family that love is first learned, discipline first applied, and faith first seen in action. When God is honored in the home, the household becomes a sanctuary of peace and a place where Christ is lifted up.

Family is more than a group of individuals who share a home. It is the first church, the first school, and the first place where the heart is shaped. In Deuteronomy 6:6–7, the Lord commands, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…” Faith was never intended to be taught only in formal settings. It was meant to be passed from one generation to the next in the rhythms of daily life—through conversation, example, correction, and encouragement.

Parents are charged with the holy task of raising children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. Grandparents, siblings, and extended family members also play essential roles in modeling Christlike love and service. When the family unit is grounded in Scripture, the home becomes a beacon of light in a dark world.

Yet we must not ignore the reality of our times. In today’s society, the family is under siege. The rise of self-centered living, relentless busyness, and moral confusion has led to widespread brokenness within the home. Fathers and mothers are often absent—not merely in presence, but in spiritual leadership. Children are being discipled by screens and culture rather than by Scripture and godly example.

This breakdown is not accidental. The enemy understands that when the family is fractured, the church and the community are weakened. We must therefore be vigilant in protecting and restoring what God has ordained. We must reject the notion that family is disposable or secondary. It is essential.

How then do we respond? We begin by restoring the family altar. This is not a piece of furniture—it is a way of life. It means making time each day to gather in prayer, read the Word together, and talk openly about the things of God. It means eating meals together, asking for forgiveness when we fall short, and seeking the Lord’s direction in every decision.

It means fathers and mothers praying over their children. It means children honoring their parents. It means turning off the distractions and turning our hearts back toward home. In Colossians 3:13–14, we are reminded to “bear with each other and forgive one another... and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Healing begins when humility is embraced and the Spirit of God is invited to reign once again in the home.

As we continue in this series, we will explore two more pillars: simplifying our lives and stewarding our health in order to serve God more fully. But let it be clearly stated—without a God-centered home, simplicity is elusive, and even service can become burdensome. A strong family, built on faith, is essential for living a life that glorifies the Lord in every season.

This week, I invite you to reflect on your role within your family. Whether you are a parent, child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent—ask yourself: *How am I honoring God through my family relationships?

If there is distance, seek reconciliation. If there is silence, start a conversation. If there is weariness, ask God for renewal. Commit to praying together, studying the Word together, and serving one another in love.

God has entrusted you with your family—not by chance, but by divine appointment. Let your home be a place where Christ is known, seen, and praised.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1 (ESV)

Trust the Lord to build, restore, and bless your family as you commit it to Him. He is faithful.

May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.

God's Provision in Our Wilderness

In Genesis 21:8-20, we encounter a pivotal moment in the life of Hagar, a mother cast out into the wilderness with her son, Ishmael. As the water runs out and her hope dwindles, Hagar finds herself overwhelmed by the fear of losing her child to the harsh desert. This narrative resonates deeply with us because it mirrors the human experience—times when we too feel abandoned or forgotten, left to face challenges alone. Yet, just as God intervened in Hagar’s situation, opening her eyes to see a well of water, He also intervenes in our lives. There are moments when, amid our struggles, we may fail to see His provision. But God never abandons us; He is faithful to meet our needs when we cry out to Him. Today, we will explore how, in our times of despair, God is still working, providing for us in ways that may not always be immediately visible. Through Hagar's story, we are reminded of the powerful truth that even in the wilderness, God’s provision is near, and His promises are sure.

Hagar’s journey into the wilderness represents a moment of profound crisis. After being sent away by Abraham, she and her son Ishmael find themselves wandering aimlessly in the desert, their provisions running dry. The pain and fear Hagar experiences become evident when she places her son under a bush, unable to bear the sight of his suffering. In this act of desperation, we witness the depths of human despair—Hagar has lost all hope. She believes that death is inevitable, and her tears reflect the anguish of a mother powerless to save her child. This scene captures the moments in our own lives when we feel abandoned, forgotten, or helpless. Like Hagar, we may find ourselves in situations where the path forward is unclear, where resources are exhausted, and where hope seems to be slipping away. But this part of the story reminds us that, even in these darkest times, God’s presence is not absent. Though Hagar may not have realized it, help was already near.

In the midst of Hagar’s despair, a powerful shift occurs: God hears the cry of Ishmael. The passage reveals that while Hagar is consumed by hopelessness, God is not distant—He is attentive, and He responds. An angel of God calls out to Hagar from heaven, offering comfort and assurance. "Do not be afraid," the angel says, reminding Hagar that God has heard her son's cry and is fully aware of their plight. This moment is a profound reminder that, even when we feel abandoned or believe that our cries go unheard, God listens. He is deeply aware of our struggles, and His heart is moved by our suffering. In this encounter, God not only acknowledges Ishmael’s present distress but also reaffirms His promise to make Ishmael into a great nation. It’s a reminder to us that God’s promises stand firm, even in the midst of our trials. What we perceive as abandonment is often a moment where God is preparing to reveal His plan, one that exceeds our immediate understanding.

At the heart of this story lies a moment of divine revelation—God opens Hagar’s eyes, and suddenly, she sees a well of water. What is so remarkable about this event is that the well had been there all along, but in her despair, Hagar was unable to see it. This act of God opening her eyes is symbolic of how He often works in our lives. In times of hardship and fear, we can become blinded by our circumstances, unable to recognize the solutions or provisions that God has already placed before us. It is not that the well was created at that moment; rather, God lifted the veil that prevented Hagar from seeing His provision. This is a powerful reminder that God’s provision is always present, though we may not always perceive it. When we turn to Him in faith, He can open our eyes to see what we could not see before: the solutions, the opportunities, and the blessings that are right in front of us. Just as Hagar’s life and the life of her son were sustained by the well, so too are we sustained by God’s constant care, even when we feel lost in the wilderness of our trials.

After God opens Hagar’s eyes to the well, the story does not end with just one moment of provision. Genesis 21:20 tells us that “God was with the boy as he grew up.” This statement is a powerful reminder that God’s care and provision extend far beyond a single act. God didn’t just provide for Hagar and Ishmael once and leave them to fend for themselves. Instead, He continued to watch over them, guiding Ishmael as he grew and eventually became the father of a great nation, as God had promised. This enduring provision reflects God's nature—He is not a distant or momentary provider, but a God who remains with us throughout our journey. We often focus on immediate needs, hoping for quick solutions, but God’s provision is ongoing. Even after the crisis is over, He continues to lead and bless us in ways that fulfill His greater plan. This is a reassurance for all of us: God is not only with us in our moments of desperation, but He also walks with us in the days, months, and years that follow, providing for us in ways we may not always see.

As we consider the story of Hagar and Ishmael, we are reminded of the deep truth that, even when we feel abandoned in our own wilderness, God never forsakes us. Hagar’s desperation in the desert mirrors the times in our lives when we face overwhelming trials and feel as though there is no hope. Yet, just as God opened Hagar’s eyes to see the well of water, He is ready to open our eyes to His provision. The well had been there all along, and so, too, God’s care and solutions are often present even when we cannot see them. This story is a powerful reminder that God hears our cries, provides for us in our time of need, and continues to be with us long after the immediate crisis has passed. His provision is not a fleeting moment but an ongoing relationship of care and faithfulness.

As you reflect on this message, I challenge you to examine the areas of your life where you feel lost, abandoned, or in need. Are there places where you are struggling to see God’s provision? Take a step of faith and ask God to open your eyes to the wells He has already placed before you. Trust that His solutions are near, even if they are not immediately visible. Seek Him in prayer, and rest assured in the promise that He hears your cries and will meet your needs in His perfect timing. As you go forward, remember that God’s care does not end after one act of provision; He continues to walk with you, guiding and sustaining you. Let this truth encourage you to trust in His faithfulness and lean on His everlasting provision.

Mid-Week Message - The Struggle of Self-Esteem

"See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!  But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him."  1 John 3:1  (NLT)

A couple of weeks ago I told the story of how my daughter was bullied in school and how much anguish she went through because of it.  Another of the experiences she had to endure was being yelled at and belittled in her Physical Education class.  After employing teachers who believed the class should be a fun time, the school hired a young man whose primary focus was on running.  His theory was that "all children can be successful by running."  Now, my child inherited her mother's lack of athletic talent.  Just as running was not an activity that I excelled at, neither was it for her.  This teacher not only allowed the other girls in the class to yell at her but also repeatedly told her his theory that she could be successful because every other child was.  This deepened the hurt that she felt by making her believe that she was in competition with every other child in the world and coming in dead last.

Self-esteem is something many of us struggle with.  When we compare ourselves to those around us, it is easy to find ourselves lacking.  There will always be those that are in better physical condition, wear nicer clothing, drive nicer vehicles or live in nicer homes.  Since I am female I know that girls compare hair, makeup, figures and relationships and allow their perceived deficits to change how they feel about themselves.  But our comparisons often don't stop there.  We carry them into our Christian lives and see ourselves as less spiritual than others.  When that happens we can sometimes find it more difficult to go before the Lord because we think He will know we don't measure up.

I want to assure you that no where in the Bible does it say that Jesus came to die only for those who were worth it.  There were not two lists at the cross.  Genesis tells us that we were all created in God's image and Psalm 139 teaches that He was with us while we were being formed in our mothers' wombs.  When Jesus left Heaven to come to this earth, He came for all of us, not just the elite or the attractive or the most spiritual.  When He was enduring a violent, tragic death, we were all on His mind.  He loves each us exactly as we are.  John 3:16 says "everyone who believes will not perish but have eternal life."  That is all inclusive.  No competitions.  No one is chosen over another.

As long as we keep our eyes on the things of this world we will continue to feel that we don't measure up in one area or another.  When we begin to look to our Father and search His Word to see how He views us, then the way we see ourselves will be transformed.  No longer will it matter that someone else can run faster than us.  What will be most important will be the Savior who gave up everything out of His great love for us and we will be reminded that we are His.  God bless.

Daily Word of God - Genesis 15:1-6

Genesis 15:1-6 New International Version (NIV)

The Lord’s Covenant With Abram

15 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.
    I am your shield,[a]
    your very great reward.[b]”

2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit[c] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring[d] be.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Footnotes:

1. Genesis 15:1 Or sovereign
2. Genesis 15:1 Or shield; / your reward will be very great
3. Genesis 15:2 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
4. Genesis 15:5 Or seed

Daily Word of God - Genesis 50:15-21

Genesis 50:15-21 New International Version (NIV)

Joseph Reassures His Brothers

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Morning Scripture Reading - Genesis 12:1-3

Genesis 12:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

The Call of Abram

12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.[a]
3 I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.”[b]

Footnotes:

1. Genesis 12:2 Or be seen as blessed
2. Genesis 12:3 Or earth / will use your name in blessings (see 48:20)

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Genesis 22:9-14

Genesis 22:9-14 New International Version (NIV)

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lordcalled out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham calledthat place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

Footnotes:

1. Genesis 22:13 Many manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint and Syriac; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text a ram behind him