Golden Pillar Class Study, teacher Leslie Crain.
Sister Connie Chancellor shared something by Mary Lentz on homemakers about putting our houses to work for God.
“Our homes need to become “working” homes again. As Christian homemakers, our homes are so much more than dwelling places. They are an outpouring of God’s grace and mercy in our lives. A Christian home reaches out, it wraps its arms around all who enter, and it provides a haven in the midst of a culture of chaos. “Put your house to work,” and use your God-given talents to make it a God-glorifying place!
Ladies we are thinking of our homes all wrong. Social media has changed our perceptions of how houses should look. Our houses were never intended to be perfectly curetted, With seamless aesthetics and luxe finishes a every turn. Our house isn’t a museum; It’s a tool, A tool for ministry, Our houses are working houses not museum exhibits. They nurse the sick, Welcome strangers and feed families. For the Christian, the house is an extension of the church, A house with happy children will have a few toys on the floor. A kitchen that provides home cooked meals will have dishes in the sink and food on the counters. Houses that are lived in will look…well…lived in!
We should aim to have beautiful homes, but the world defines a beautiful home based on aesthetics and cosmetics, That is like a whitewashed tomb. As a Christian, a beautiful home has everything to do with the love and service within. Don’t let discontentment stop you from opening your home for hospitality. You will have a lot more peace in this life when you understand and accept that your house is meant to work and doesn’t have to be insta-worthy to be hospitable. Your house is for serving the Lord and serving others.
So put your house to work, Don’t wait for a special occasions to use your nice things, Don’t fret about the laundry pile if someone shows up unannounced. Dirty the counters with a home cooked meal. Let your children play with their toys. Enjoy your house ladies. No amount of shiplap, boho décor or black fixtures will ever compare to the beauty of using your house to serve the Lord. I encourage you not to let the perfection you see on social media affect your contentment nor make you self-conscious. A working house is the fruit of your hands. Keep a tidy house, yes but use your home for fellowship and ministry. Mortify personal vanity that keeps you for glorifying the Lord with your home.”
(Instragram: @mrsmarylentz)
This is how we’re to be used by God – not just washed and cleansed, pressed and tidy, having checked off all the items of our list every day. What good is it if we stay inside our house, no matter how much good we do there? It doesn’t let people see the light and grace God gives us every morning. If we don’t open the doors and windows, what good is the light? We’re not meant to hide our light in the earth of ourselves. The Lord was angry with the one who hid his goods in the earth.
Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
We are to let our light shine. Adam Clarkes commentary said, “As the sun is lighted up in the firmament of heaven to diffuse its light and heat freely to every inhabitant of the earth; and as the lamp is not set under the bushel, but placed upon the lamp-stand that it may give light to all in the house; Thus let every follower of Christ is to diffuse the light of heavenly knowledge, and the warmth of Divine love through the whole circle of their acquaintance.”
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father…in heaven.
We need to be willing to open our mouth to let our light shine. It doesn’t have to be much. The boy shared his lunch and multitudes were fed. The maid who served Naaman’s wife said there was a prophet in Samaria who could heal Naaman. Even saying something to the clerk at a store is letting our light shine. Christ was approachable. He lived a daily life for all to see that honored the Father. People sought Jesus. They didn’t let what others might think keep them from seeking Jesus.
It is the enemies’ duty to hinder us form being a light. Some saints stand as having that grace, light, compassion that drew people like Christ did. Many come to mind – Sister Sandy Coleman, Sister Joy Nice, and Brother Bob Betzler. We could stop any of them and they always had time to listen. We always came away comforted and refreshed.
What are some human thoughts the enemy brings that hinder us from reaching out to others?
- Saying, I’m not good enough, I’m not worthy. I’ve always struggled with feelings of not being good enough and inadequate. I didn’t know what was good enough. How do I measure good enough? The enemy wants our perception of what God wants from us out of balance. About 1988-89 Sister Leslie took an accounting class at the college to improve her accounting skills for their business. She listened to the teacher, read the text, did her homework, but she didn’t knock herself out or spend every spare minute balancing accounts. She received an A for her work. She was hoping for at least a B. She thought about her efforts and her reward. She had been setting unrealistic goals for herself most of her life. Now she began bringing more balance to life. Jesus had 12 disciples. John the beloved was gentle and compassionate, yet firm in the ways of God. The disciples were all different. Each one fulfilled God’s plan as best they could, even Judas.
- The enemy wants us to compare ourselves to one another. None of us are going to be another Sister Sandy Coleman or Brother Bob Betzler, but we can be us. Bro Elmer’s sister, Shirley has been knitting for at least 60 years. She can knit and talk and count all at the same time. She can knit anything and has designed items. She can look at a knitted item and figure out how to knit it. She has a booth in a craft shop and knits stuff for people who buy her stuff. Leslie has been knitting about 25 years. Shirley’s style is not her style. Leslie would be asked, do you knit? She’d say, yes a little. But one day she realized just because she didn’t knit like Shirley didn’t mean she can’t knit. She knit socks, sweaters, afghans and even knit lace with little bitty pointed needles. (Shirley does all these also.) She even put the garment on her child and sent them outside. Ask and she’ll say, yes I am a knitter but she’s not Shirley. Have any heard a whisper in your ears in your voice saying, you can’t do it as well as that sister or brother? If God wanted the job done like they do it, God would ask them. He is asking you because He knows how you would do it. That’s the way He wants it done.
Jesus and Zacchaeus are an example. The tax collector climbed up in a tree to see Jesus. When he came down he was committing to make restitution to honor and glorify God. He wasn’t worrying about what people thought about him.
Luke 19:1-10 And Jesus…passed through Jericho…there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him…pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up…and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured…That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus…said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said…This day is salvation come to this house…For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
A woman sick 12 years with an issue of blood was healed. She didn’t think about being unclean to people around her. She went through the crowd to touch Jesus’ robe because she knew he could heal her. We can approach Jesus no matter what our need or condition is.
Matthew 9:20:22…a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus…saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Blind Bartimaeus went away healed and seeing because he asked for help. He had to ask. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Mark 10:46-52…he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus…by the highway side begging. And…heard that it was Jesus…began to cry…Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged …he should hold his peace: but he cried the more…Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus…commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man…Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment…came to Jesus. And Jesus answered…What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said…Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said…Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole…immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus…
A sinful woman was forgiven. She brought an alabaster box with perfume and cried as she anointed Jesus’ feet.
Luke 7:41-43 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered…I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Why did people reach out with confidence to Jesus? What characteristics gave people confidence in Jesus? He was approachable, available, willing to listen even to children. He never looked down on anyone, never put anyone down, never ridiculed a need. He always had time. He really, truly cared. Jesus wants us to, “Go, and sin no more” and follow him. Each of the disciples had a job because Jesus said, Follow me. Don’t be worried about if “I did it good enough” but just follow and do our job for his glory and honor. We’re all God’s children, part of His body, have a place, and all have a purpose.
Matthew 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.