ACTS 16: 13–15And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us [KJV]
Many persons received their salvation and deliverance in the early church. Some were cured of leprosy, deafness, blindness, issue of blood and paralysis. Others had their dead children raised back to life. However, not all these beneficiaries had an additional record of total family conversion. It is a great privilege and honour to have an entire family believe the gospel, converted and turned to the Lord. The joy of an entire household conversion is that there is a church already in that family where brethren can lift up holy hands in worship and bring in many more sons and daughters to the sheepfold.
Joshua addressed the Israelites making his boast that he would serve the Lord together with his whole household (Joshua 24:15). Lydia, a wealthy woman, believed the Lord with her whole household (Acts 16:15). Cornelius’ testimony in Acts 10 demonstrates to us the beauty of whole family conversion. Finally, the Philippian jailer had his whole household converted after he encountered the Lord through Paul and Silas. (Acts 16:31–34). When you serve the Lord with your household, you reduce the devil’s infiltration through unwholesome blood covenants.
It is important for the whole family to serve the Lord. The spiritual health of a family can be measured in the number of souls whose God is the Lord. When members of our household know the Lord personally, it will become easier to replicate the gospel as they go from place to place selling the Truth to others. Also, such household will radiate the glory and beauty of the Lord and the Lord will establish the work of their hands! The state of spiritual affairs in your family goes a long way in determining the level of serenity, joy and peace you’ll enjoy at the home front regardless of the situation and circumstances all around. Mountains may move, oceans’ waves may be strong and honestly, commodities may quadruple in the marketplace, you’ll remain unperturbed once you’re sure of the Presence of the Master in the midst of your family. Beloved, what’s the current state of spiritual affairs in your family?
AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD! WHAT ABOUT YOU?
*Adapted from: The Men of Issachar Vision Inc