[Jesus said] to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his own home. John 19:27

If you want to see what a person is really like, spend some time in the home. We can put on an air of kindness at work or school and lead others to believe that we are the kind of people they want us to be. But at home we let our hair down. Our family members see us as we really are. Our selfishness shows; our lack of concern for others comes out. Where we live and what we do at home reflect on what is in our hearts.

At home we also reflect Christ's love in us. By His enabling power we show patience. We forgive over and over again. We sacrifice personal advantage to see someone thorough a crisis. Together we grow in faith into Him who is the head, that is, Christ. Home is a place of refuge. Home is a place of refreshing rest. Home is where we gain the strength to face the world, which seeks to tear us away from Christ. Home is where others help us to stay close to Him who gave His life for us.

Building a Christian home requires effort. Together in our home we daily seek God's will for our lives and pray earnestly for His blessings.

PRAYER: Thank You, dear Lord, for giving us a home in which to grow in faith. Bless our home today and every day. Amen.

(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 40-41    2 Peter 3

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