ER, Part 2: Rx for a Healthy Family

Rx for a Healthy Family This is the beginning of a new day.  God has given me this day to use as I will.  I can waste it or use it for good.  What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.  When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it.  I want it to be a gain, not loss—good, not evil—success, not failure in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it. (Ephesians 5:15-16)  "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."  A healthy, supportive family should be.. ü A place of protection ü A place of preparation ü A place to play What's the Rx for Healthy Families? A.   Decisions B.   Disciplines Making the Decision ü Determine your priorities. (Malachi 4:6)  "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." (1 Timothy 5:8)  "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." ü Decide on your philosophy. (Joshua 24:15)  "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." ü Develop your problem-solving strategy. (Proverbs 24:3 NCV)  "It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong." Managing the Discipline 1.  Put your family on your calendar first.      (Psalm 90:12 LB)  "Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should." 2.  Give your marriage top priority. (Mark 3:25)  "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." 3.  Create and maintain family traditions. (Psalm 127:3)  "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4.  Find ways to spend time together. (Deuteronomy 6:7 LB)  "You must teach these commandments to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk; at bedtime and the first thing in the morning." 5.  Express appreciation for each other. (Proverbs 15:23)  "A man finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word!" (Ephesians 4:29)  "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs." 6.  Resolve conflict as quickly as possible. (Proverbs 17:9)  "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." (1 Peter 4:8)  "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.