Tag: children
Heaven’s greatest!
Scripture reading for January 24: Matthew 18
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in My Name receives Me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:1-6
Fame, fortune and beauty define the greatest people in the eyes of the world. Therefore, the world is always seeking prestige from great accomplishments, earning large amounts of money, or being especially beautiful or handsome. All these accomplishments most often come with pride and promotion and competition for the top spots. Contests are set up, lists of famous people are made, and fortunes are totaled to determine the winners.
But Jesus’ disciples asked Him who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Their motive was probably to have Jesus confirm one of them in that role but Jesus took this opportunity to expand their world view. He found a child and had him put in their midst and made a bold statement. “Whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” This was a challenge to their current self-centered view of being the greatest disciples. Not that this desire was bad, but the path to greatness was through humility and serving and learning God’s way of the cross. They were also warned to be careful that their worldly attitudes and actions might cause the children to go astray. This would bring eternal loss and judgment.
Are you currently seeking fulfilment through the world’s path of pride and accomplishment? Have you considered the children in your life that you are influencing? What actions will you take to respond?
Prayer: Father God, I confess that I have desired ‘greatness’ in this world system. Thank You for showing me my children and my need to become like a child and learn from You and them. Lead me today in the path of true greatness and humble service. Amen.
Sunday rest and reflection: Children
Dear Friends,
Greetings on a beautiful day of resurrection rest! Fall is here and seasons are changing with leaves turning color and crops being harvested. Apples are for sale at the orchard and pumpkins are everywhere! We have had a bountiful year and we should overflow with thanksgiving.
As I reflect back over this last week, there is so much that I could write on from Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus was truly the “Christ, Son of the living God”! He demonstrated that again and again to His followers so they could believe and share their faith with others and ultimately reach the world. However, growing to be a mature disciple sometimes requires correction. Jesus’ correction in Matthew 19 arrested me.
“Then children were brought to Him that He might place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” “When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.”” Matthew 19:13-15
Children are so important in our lives and in the kingdom of heaven. When children are younger, they are more open and teachable. It is the parents’ duty to bring their children to Jesus, to pray for them regularly, and lay hands on them. We must not do anything to hinder them. It seems that the disciples thought that Jesus did not want to be bothered by parents and small children. They rebuked them and tried to send them away because they mistakenly thought Jesus would be bothered.
We need to be sure that we do not make the same mistake! Many in the church appear to view children as a distraction. They don’t want to help with children and work to train them. Children and nursery workers are very hard to recruit and volunteers are hard to come by. Older people seem to feel that they have done their duty or put in their time. Younger parents say that they need a break. Many say that children aren’t their calling and they have no patience with them. We seem to suffer from the same mentality as these early disciples and stand to be rebuked by our Master!
Jesus set a wonderful example for us all! He took time for children. He touched children and prayed for them. He took them into His arms and blessed them. He did not make excuses of having no calling, or being too busy, or having more important things to do. Children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from Him! (Psalm 127:3-5) They will carry on Christ’s work, should Jesus tarry. Let’s be sure we are not hindering them and that we are praying for them, teaching and blessing them.
In His Love, Pastor John
“Fear not!”
Scripture reading for July 29: Isaiah 44-48
Comfort is needed when people have been through the fire of judgment or discipline. God is a God of all comfort and one of the ways He comforts us is to encourage us not to be afraid. It is said that the term “fear not” or variations of this phrase is used 366 times in the Bible. This means that there are enough verses for every day of the year–even leap year! God knows we need this encouragement. Let’s look as some things God encourages us to not be afraid of and see our hope begin to rise!
In Isaiah 43:1-3, God tells His people to not be afraid when they pass through the rivers or walk through the fire. He has redeemed them and they belong to Him. He promised to be with them and protect them no matter what the trouble. He will ransom them and redeem them and gives His word!
In Isaiah 44:1-5, God tells His people to not be afraid for their children! We can trust the Lord to pour out His Spirit on our offspring and His blessing on our descendants. When we follow the Lord and live by faith, God takes care of our kids! He is able to guide them and help them to choose to walk by faith too! Let’s say “amen” to this promise and live free from fear for our children’s future.
In Isaiah 44:6-8, God encourages His people to not be afraid of the future. He is their redeemer and is the Almighty Lord who has all power and knowledge. He knows the future and holds it in His hands. He is a Rock for those who are in fear of the future. Trusting in Him can make us truly free!
The last thing we can give up fearing is old age and the weakness and frailty associated with it. “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you, I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:3-4) Sounds like God can handle us in old age, too, doesn’t it? What’s there to be afraid of anyway? We are people of faith and please God by trusting Him in everything! “Fear Not!”
Children who are mighty in the land!
Scripture reading for June 25: Psalms 111-118
We all want the best for our children! As a parent, I will sacrifice for my children that they might fulfill their destiny and become great in the Lord and honor Him. I will do whatever it takes to provide for them, protect them, and instruct them to fulfill their God-given purpose! The readings for today give us the secret of how to secure the blessing of God on our children and see them become ‘mighty in the land’! (Psalm 112:2)
Psalm 111 praises the Lord for His faithfulness and mighty deeds and works on behalf of those who fear and honor Him. God has been gracious and compassionate on those who fear Him. He has provided food for them and kept His covenant! (Psalm 111:4-5) He has given them the land of other nations and shown His great power to His people! (Psalm 111:6) God has provided redemption for His people and given them His holy and awesome Name! (Psalm 111:9) These wonderful blessings from God brings a holy fear and respect which is the beginning of all wisdom and a successful life.
Psalm 112 continues in this same vein of thought. The fear of the Lord is the key to blessing of our offspring! When a man fears the Lord, he finds great delight in God’s Word and commands! He reads and meditates on the Word of God and applies it to his life. The application of truth because of respect and honor for God brings prosperity and success! (Joshua 1:8-9) (Psalm 112:1-3) God’s blessing is on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers. His face is set against the wicked who do not fear Him. God longs to bless His children and make them mighty in the land. They are made mighty to be a testimony of the goodness and favor on those who fear and respect the One in supreme authority!
Those who fear the Lord will have light even in darkness! Remember the children of Israel had light during the plague of darkness! (Exodus 10:21-23) Those who fear the Lord are generous and give. They conduct their affairs with justice, doing what is fair and right in the sight of God because they fear and respect Him. Because of this, they will never be shaken! (Psalm 112:5-6) They will have no fear of bad news of enemy attack, war, or economic downturn! (Psalm 112:8-10) In the end, the wicked will waste away and come to nothing! Those who trust in the Lord and fear Him will lack nothing!
Does your life reflect the fear of the Lord and confidence in Him? What steps might you take today to help your children become mighty in the land?
True greatness!
Scripture reading for March 14: Luke 9, Psalm 53, Proverbs 22
Key Scriptures: Luke 9:46-48 “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by His side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My Name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
Pride manifested itself among the chosen disciples of Jesus. They argued with one another about which of them was the greatest disciple! Now it’s a noble thing to want to be the best follower of Jesus, but we can make an idol of our service to Christ and miss what Jesus desires for us. Jesus used a child as an example. Our treatment of children and the least among us requires humility and taking a lower position. True greatness, says Jesus, comes from this.
Faith confession: Lord, I want to attain true greatness by humbly receiving children and those looked down on by our culture. I believe You love children and the marginalized of our world and want me to love them. Action step: Reach out today to a child or someone hurting and show the love of Jesus to them.
Proverbs 22:4 “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”
Children who are mighty in the land!
Scripture reading for June 26th: Psalms 111-118
As a parent, I will sacrifice for my children so they might fulfill their destiny. I will do whatever it takes to provide for them, protect them, and instruct them to fulfill God’s plan for their life and secure His blessings. The readings for today give us the secret of helping them become ‘mighty in the land’! (Psalm 112:2)
Psalm 111 praises the Lord for His faithfulness and mighty deeds on behalf of those who fear Him. He has provided food for them and kept His covenant! (Psalm 111:4-5) He has given them the land of other nations and shown His great power to His people! (Psalm 111:6) God has provided redemption for His people and given them His holy Name! (Psalm 111:9) Because of His abundant provision, His children should respect and honor Him.
The fear of the Lord is the key to blessing our children! When a man fears the Lord, he finds great delight in God’s Word and commands! He reads and meditates on the Word of God and applies it to his life. The application of truth brings prosperity and success! (Joshua 1:8-9) (Psalm 112:1-3) God’s blessing is on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers. God longs to bless His children and make them mighty in the land. They are made mighty as a testimony of the goodness and favor of God!
Those who fear the Lord will have light even in darkness! Those who fear the Lord are generous and give. They conduct their affairs with justice, doing what is fair and right in the sight of God. Because of this, they will never be shaken! (Psalm 112:5-6) They will have no fear of enemy attack, war, or economic downturn! They are secure in their faith and trust in the Lord! He has promised them victory over their enemies! (Psalm 112:8-10) In the end, the wicked will waste away and come to nothing, but those who trust in the Lord will lack nothing!
The bottom line is that the fear of the Lord in my life and yours will insure a destiny for us and for our children. We must live it out daily, not just on Sunday mornings! Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit today and pray for your children and grandchildren to enjoy a healthy fear of the Lord!
Devoted to prayer!
Scripture reading for October 8th: Colossians 3:18-4:18
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17) This Scripture is a summary of how Christ living in us should transform our lives. This kind of living can only come from a life of prayer and intimate contact with God Himself. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit and love of God daily and this will be reflected practically in how we live at home and at work.
Paul’s instruction to this company of “holy and faithful brothers” included again practical advice on getting along in the home and workplace. Wives were told to submit to God’s order in the home because of God’s design. Husbands were reminded to love their wives and not be harsh with them. Children were told to please the Lord by obedience to parents. Fathers were again reminded to be gentle towards their children. Employees were encouraged to work for their employers as unto the Lord and expect a reward from God for doing that. Masters should treat employees fairly. God will show no favorites. (Colossians 3:18-25)
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” (Colossians 4:2-4) As we pray, we put our focus on the unseen world of God’s throne and He makes us aware of dangers as well as opportunities. We sense God’s heart and begin to want what He wants.
As Paul told these believers to devote themselves to prayer, he asked for prayer himself. He was in chains in a Roman prison, but he did not ask for a deliverance. Instead he asked for open doors for ministry of the Gospel of Christ. He knew that without prayer, ministry would not happen. He asked for boldness and clarity of speech to know how to present the message to each open heart. His focus was not on himself, but on Christ’s call and purpose that he longed to complete.
May the Lord help each of us to be devoted to prayer. If we lived a life of prayer, we would find more opportunities to fulfill our calling!