THE FIRST BASE IS HOME. 058

Today I want to be simple and to the point. To desire to do the grandest work for God elsewhere, whilst work remains undone at home is, I believe, contrary to God’s ideal.

Now I don’t believe that we must stay and try to work at home until everything is perfect. What I am saying though, is that there needs to be a serious examining of who we are in our own homes. If there are barriers and obstacles to overcome, then wrestling and overcoming them may be perfect training to prepare us for the barriers and obstacles that we will inevitably face in the mission field.

“None of us liveth to himself.” The character will manifest itself. The looks, the tone of the voice, the actions, —all have their influence in making or marring the happiness of the domestic circle.”

How do you look, how is your tone, what are your actions? One thing I despise is when people respond in a way that indicate they are hurried or annoyed. Recently my mom asked me to do something and though my face did not express it, in my spirit, in my mind, I was annoyed. Immediately I asked myself why I was comfortable having a posture that I detested in others?

May God help us to look, as Jesus would look, to keep a tone, that Jesus would keep, to do the deeds, that Jesus would do. I think of Peter right after he denied Jesus, Jesus looked at him, not with a look of condemnation, but with a look that cried “I have prayed for you, that your faith does not fail.” Luke 22:32

“None of us liveth to himself.” The character will manifest itself. The looks, the tone of the voice, the actions, —all have their influence in making or marring the happiness of the domestic circle.” They are molding the temper and character of the children; they are inspiring or tending to destroy confidence and love. All are made either better or worse, happy or miserable, by these influences. We owe our families the knowledge of the word brought into practical life. All that it is possible for us to be to purify, enlighten, comfort, and encourage those connected with us in family relation should be done. {7T 50.2}

Need I say more?

Father, please help us to look, think, and respond as Christ, at home, and abroad,

IJN,

amen