Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Ephesians 3:14-20

11 August 2011

Cathie and Brendon Clancy

Ephesians 3:14-20 

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom the whole family in Heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power , together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

Cathie shared on the song “You First Love Us”. That was the song inspired by the Holy Spirit. To remind us that we love Him because He first loves us. Worship is responsive to the love that is eternal, to the love He has for us, as we respond to His love, just like the Father’s heart. 

Cathie shared her spiritual life normally has conversation with the Holy Spirit internally and externally. She likes the song “Daddy God”, which is sung to the Father. The son, Jesus, sang to the Father in heaven. Jesus came to the earth to reveal the Father, and showed us how the relationship began. She has the same relationship as Jesus with the Father. Jesus lives in us, we are called to worship Him. Jesus died to connect us to the Father. That revelation is clear to us. We have that relationship because of what Jesus did for us. Let us give glory to God. It is so wonderful. 

During her mission work in China, a woman brought her 9 years old daughter, Jessica to her. She had back pain for years, and the mother did not want to give her any more medicine. The Holy Spirit told Cathie, that one of the girl’s leg is shorter. She sat her on a chair, and told her that one of her leg was shorter by about 1 inch. Her parents were there. The Holy Spirit spoke to Cathie that Jessica’s shorter leg is to grow. As she spoke to her, her shorter leg grew to be in equal length with the other leg. She brought her to walk, initially she could not walk properly, later she walked well. That was a miracle! 

God works powerfully, anywhere, any time. You and I have to be ready. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. As Cathie preached and shared testimonies about God’s goodness, faith grows in the heart. Whatever you need, He is able to bring to you. When Paul prayed thousands of years ago, it was powerful. We have the same power today! 

The 3 things Cathie shared today on “Home Sweet Home”. (Psalm 119: 103) How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Every word of God is sweet, sweetness is anointing. The presence of God destroys confusion, destroys sickness, destroys fear, destroys anxiety and worry. 

The first thing God wants us to stay sweet is in our hearts. (Proverb 4:23) “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Guard our heart from attitude, bad attitude, from the culture that the world is throwing at us, from any impure thoughts. So we can guard our heart by guarding our thought. Guard our heart in forgiveness. then there will be light in your heart. Protect you heart in thought. Do not let your heart be troubled. When Cathie had 4th stage cancer many years ago, the first thing she had to do was to forgive all who have offended her. That released her from the power of darkness. She was healed. 

A second place where God wants to keep us sweet. Our home where we live, are like the ARK, a place of refuge, a place for safety, a place of rest where we come home after work, where we have daddy, mummy, brothers and sisters, where we can have our meals together, where we can talk to one another, where we can pray together. It is where a family connect, living out the Word together. Sometimes there may be argument, but it is the fun and joy of being together, that bring sweetness to the home. There may be times that you have to say “I am sorry”, in front of your children, even it is not your fault. 

The third place where God wants us to stay sweet: (Philippians 2: 2 - 3) “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” The church is a place where people can grow in God. Can get to serve one another. The functions of ministries in the church are to help one another to grown spiritually, to fellowship with one another, work together. 

The 3 places to maintain “Home-Sweet-Home”: 

1. Your heart: 

2. Your home. 

3. The church: 

Psalm 19

Say sorry to one another. 

Questions for reflection: 

(a) Do you stay sweet in your heart, happy most of the time? What causes our heart to feel sweetness or bitterness? How do we guard our hearts so that life will continue to flow from it? (Pro. 4:23) 

(b) Do you have meals with all your family members daily? Do you share what you encounter in the day with your children/parents? What role does God wants you to play at home? How can you be a contributor of peace in your home? 

 (c) Phil. 2:2-3 how like-minded are you when it comes to the church? Are you able to see BCCM KK E as your family, playing host when a stranger come into your home? Affirming and exhorting the younger one (physical age and spiritual age) in your home, helping those who are weak and need comfort? What more can you do to make this spiritual home a place where everyone wants to come home to?