By Kathy Pollard
“Create a home that makes it impossible to not think about God.”
I’ve loved this quote for a long time and what a beautiful aim! How can we do that? Obviously God is already present, but here are 11 simple ways we can put out the welcome mat for Him:
- Saturate your home with His voice.
Keep God’s Word at the forefront. God wanted His people to talk about His Word at all times and to put visible reminders everywhere (Deut. 6:6-9). We can do the same by keeping Scripture visible (wall art, verses on the fridge, etc.) and by making it a natural part of our daily conversations.
2. Speak blessings in your home.
To “bless” is to praise, to speak well of, to honor. Let’s use our mouths to bless. Bless the Lord. Bless the others in our home. Bless fellow Christians. Bless our enemies (Lk. 6:27-28).
3. Glorify God.
I have friends who use phrases like “Thank the good Lord” or “God is good” and really mean it. It’s their genuine heart posture. What would it do for our homes to hear God praised? Speak of His goodness. Give Him credit for every good thing. Glorify Him in good times and in bad times.
4. Bring Singing into Your Home.
Don’t save it for corporate worship only! Singing has always played a major part in the history of God’s people. They sang when they celebrated (1 Sam. 18:6-7) and when God delivered them (Ex. 15:1-21). They had a whole book of psalms, many of which say, “Sing to the Lord.” Jesus sang with His disciples (Mt. 26:30). Paul and Silas sang in prison (Ac. 16:25). We still have reasons to celebrate and God still delivers. Singing strengthens our hearts, brings joy, and comforts our suffering. Singing reminds our souls of the joy of redemption (Ps. 71:23). Singing helps us remember biblical truths. And singing creates precious memories for our children.
5. Use your home to serve others.
Jesus demonstrated that we are here to serve (John 13). Opening our homes for Bible studies, hospitality, benevolence, card making, baking goodies for others, are all ways to show we belong to Him.
6. Fill your home with forgiveness.
God forgives us as we forgive others (Mt. 6:14-15). People who live together in close quarters must learn to truly forgive. And children learn about God through this vital gift.
7. Fulfill your role in the home.
The roles for men and women are God-given (Eph. 5:22ff). He designed the home. We honor God when we pattern our homes the way He wants and gladly assume the roles He assigned.
8. Pursue peace in your home.
Peace isn’t the absence of conflict. We must do our part to make amends, build communication skills, and create an environment that fosters understanding. The world is strife-filled. A home centered around God should look much different.
9. Try to make your home a taste of Heaven.
God’s presence. Joy. Safety. We look forward to these things in Heaven but we can also do our best to fill our homes with them, too. Let’s experience pure and happy things with our loved ones.
10. Cover your home with prayer.
Keeping God’s Word at the forefront is filling our homes with God’s voice. Praying is talking to Him. Mealtime and bedtime, yes, but also moments in between. Big moments and casual moments. What an impact it makes on children who see their parents with their heads bent together in prayer before work. We can pray on the spot with our children when they’re fearful or having a problem with someone. Talking to God should be a natural part of home life.
11. Give your home back to God.
Beginning and ending each day with a prayerful dedication of our homes to God will remind us that everything we do is for Him. Every sacrifice, every effort, and every act of unselfishness is for God because it’s His home.
Our homes truly are a gift from God. Our children should be able to look back fondly. Their friends should be able to tell a difference, not in a weird/ awkward way but in genuine love. Everyone here is valued and precious in the sight of God, and everything we do in this home honors the One who gave it to us.
“God, give us Christian homes. Homes where the Bible is loved and taught. Homes where the Master’s will is sought. Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought. God, give us Christian homes” (B. B. McKinney).
*Here’s the podcast version. Start at about 21:00 if you’d like to skip the personal chit-chat.
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Life and Favor (Job 10:12) 