This is a picture of our youngest son, joyfully looking forward to his first Christmas! He was eight months old when this picture was taken. Time has flown, and he will be fourteen years old, in just five more months.
We've been witnessing to our sons and teaching them the ways of God, pretty much since they were conceived. We'd pray for them, read Scripture to them and tell them how much God loves them. I don't believe it's ever too early to teach our children about God, His saving grace and His merciful love, fully demonstrated in Jesus Christ our Lord.
We've been witnessing to our sons and teaching them the ways of God, pretty much since they were conceived. We'd pray for them, read Scripture to them and tell them how much God loves them. I don't believe it's ever too early to teach our children about God, His saving grace and His merciful love, fully demonstrated in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:2-4
"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.' "
So often we all want to feel like we matter, like we have purpose and like we're special. Although on the surface, there seems to me nothing wrong with this thinking, when we dig deep into God's word, His brilliant light of truth, love and righteousness reveals to us the error in this logic.
When we allow the tiniest seed of self-importance rise up within us, it will only be a matter of time before it becomes a full-fledged tree, bearing much fruit - the fruit of selfish ambition. The poor man who has decided he is nothing and has nothing, fears not what he might lose before setting out for the day. It is the rich man who deems he has a reputation to keep, earthly possessions to care for and is constantly tormented by thoughts that someone might steal all that he has.
Our emotions, our families, our acquaintances, co-workers and even Satan himself, cannot take anything away from the one who claims nothing for himself, except the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of his/her soul. And who can take Christ and His Holy Spirit away from anyone who has repented and trusted Jesus to save them? No one can.
When we allow the tiniest seed of self-importance rise up within us, it will only be a matter of time before it becomes a full-fledged tree, bearing much fruit - the fruit of selfish ambition. The poor man who has decided he is nothing and has nothing, fears not what he might lose before setting out for the day. It is the rich man who deems he has a reputation to keep, earthly possessions to care for and is constantly tormented by thoughts that someone might steal all that he has.
Our emotions, our families, our acquaintances, co-workers and even Satan himself, cannot take anything away from the one who claims nothing for himself, except the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of his/her soul. And who can take Christ and His Holy Spirit away from anyone who has repented and trusted Jesus to save them? No one can.
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
~ John 10:27-30
Little children don't have much selfish ambition. They just want simple things:
- love;
- peace;
- laughter;
- family;
- hugs and kisses;
- food, something to drink, and sleep;
- giving something to those they love, just to make them smile.
I'm going to be a little child today. A child of the Most High God. And I'm going to seek only to love, sow peace, enjoy laughter, enjoy my family, give lots of hugs and kisses, thank God for food that is nutritious and taste good, rest and hopefully by the end of this day, I will give something to someone I love, just to make them smile....I think I'll start by giving my Father in Heaven, my undivided heart and abandoned love. I sure hope this makes Him smile!
Won't you join me today at Word-Filled Wednesdays? Let's make God smile together...through worship!
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