Tuesday, January 24, 2012

CHILDREN ARE LITTLE SPONGES

Proverbs 22:6 NAS
Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

I watch my granddaughters a couple of days of the week while mommy works. One is two and the other is four years old. I have to say they do not attend Sunday school or church regularly. You can count Christmas and Easter as a regular on their parent's schedule. Last week we were playing tea party when I started singing Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know. After a few rounds of this they began to chime in.

The following week when they were with me they both were playing on the floor with their tea set and dolls again. I was busy in the kitchen putting away the lunch dishes. I stopped what I was doing when I heard the oldest one singing Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. I went over to where they were playing and started singing along with her. Pretty soon all three of us were praising together.

Growing up I always heard my mother say "Little pictures have big ears". I never knew what she meant until I married and had children of my own. Children are like little sponges soaking up and imitating everything we say and do. Our actions and words don't go unnoticed when children are around. How then are we to set the example for them?

We are to be in God's Word each day asking for His guidance in speech, conduct, and guard our anger. To set an example for the innocent. God has given us the gift of children, but with that gift we are to train them, making sure they know God loves them.

Dear Heavenly Father I want to thank you for allowing me the priviledge of guiding Your children until they are living in heaven with You. I ask for Your help every day to do what You would have me do and say. Amen.

Friday, January 20, 2012

HIS WORDS REVEALED

Matthew 13:35 NAS
I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.

I've read the Bible through in a year a long time ago but have felt the tugging on my heart lately to read it through again. Although it is still early in the year so many new things have opened my heart and eyes. I can't wait until I open my Bible each day.

As a child I would memorize the verses the Sunday school teachers gave the class. The teachers would then tell us the meaning. But when left on my own to read the scriptures I felt confused. I couldn't make sense of what Jesus was telling His disciples. They too, had to ask Jesus what he meant. How was I to understand if His disciples didn't understand. Satan was at work confusing me, so I would not continue to read His word, because in the end, I ended up closing my Bible and laying it to the side.

I've grown as a Christian and have learned to ask God to open my heart to the meaning of His word when I read. The evil one can no longer shield my eyes to the what the Lord is revealing to me.

Most Gracious Father thank you for giving me Your Word so that I may grow as a follower of Christ Jesus. Thank you for Your love, mercy, and grace for a sinner like me. Thank you for opening my eyes to the meaning You've given in Your word. Amen.

Monday, January 9, 2012

WHO AM I

Acts 17:29 NAS
Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.

WHO am I.....who AM I....who am I? It's all on the emphasis. Cecil Murphey asked the same question in his December newsletter. I had been thinking along this line for quite some time myself. Sorry Cec I need to add to your answers.

I am a wife, a mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, daughter, and I am also me. The me who is asking the question. Yes I know I am a child of God, His daughter, and that He loves me, but who am I? I believe most people have asked themselves the same question at some time in their life too.

Wife-I am the one who lifts my husband to God every day in prayer. Stand by his side when he is sick and rejoice when well. Keep his home comfortable, cook his meals, run his errands, and soothe his brow.

Mother-lift them in prayer every day, kiss the boo boo's, play dolls or ball with them, drive them to games, dances, movies, or friend's homes. Be there to listen when they are hurting and share their victories. Guide them with their choices.

Daughter-praise my parents for a job well done. Respect them for who they are whether I agree with them or not. Lift them in prayer every day.

And now I'm back to my first question. Who am I? I've changed through the years but I'm still me. I'm still searching for what I want as a person. Sometimes feeling like I'm the shadow for everyone else, but I'm confident I'm still a child of God. I am His daughter.

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for letting me be Your daughter. I am a sinner and not worthy but through Your Grace I know I will live with You and Your Son Jesus Christ throughout eternity. Praise God. Amen.

Monday, January 2, 2012

A New Year, A New You

Genesis 1:1 NIV
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

It's a new year and time to bring out the read my Bible through each day for the year. It's all laid out for me, 365 days, a couple of chapters a day, and at the end of the year I've read it all.

When we sit down to read we start from the beginning of the book and read it through to the end. We begin a project by looking at the directions and follow it through until we have a finished product.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. He spoke and each day there was something new. Light, darkness, separated the water from the dry land. Created vegetation, animals, and then man. Then on the seventh day God rested.

God has always desired to fellowship with man and still wants that today. Today is a new day, a new year, and time to take the first step to fellowship with God the Father. My Father in Heaven, with whom I want to spent eternity.

He is waiting for you too. It's not hard, all you have to do is ask His forgiveness and accept His love and mercy. By grace through faith are you saved to live with God forever and ever.

Dear Father in Heaven please forgive me for my sins. My desire is to live with You and Your Son Jesus who died on the cross for me. I want Jesus to live in my heart forever. Amen.