While rising early morning this week, I began to think and pray for our children - all the children in the world and their future, fears, home life, and existence in this present time.  In Mark 10:14 Jesus says, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

We all know that every child is different, but every child is similar in this respect: he or she is a priceless gift from the Father above and with our Father’s gift comes immense responsibilities. As a father and grandfather, this matter hits close to home. We have a great responsibility to teach spiritual, moral, ethical, and just teachings. It all starts at home.  If we don’t teach our children to follow Christ, the world will teach them not to. “Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate.”

There are so many scriptures about rearing up children. We all know Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when is old he will not depart from it”.  Also Deuteronomy 11:19 says “You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Our children are our nation’s most precious resource. As responsible parents and grandparents, we must create homes in which the future generation can grow and flourish.

Today and every day, lets us pray for our children . . . all of them. Let us pray for children here at home and children around the world. Every child is God’s child.  May we, as concerned adults, behave and pray accordingly. If not, the world will take them and mold them into its image. 

Let us look upon our children; let us love them and train them as children of the covenant and children of the promise. These are the children of God. (Andrew Murray) I pray for all children. This world holds countless dangers and temptations. Pray that our children may be protected from harm and that they may discover God’s will vs man. Amen!

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Here is another way seeing the above scripture: “In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered.”

My grandfather told me something one Saturday morning around 6:30 am while sitting at the table talking, drinking black coffee, and eating dry toast and a banana. This was our routine whenever I visited. With dark brown eyes and deep voice, he said these words. “Every time the wind blows, someone gets angry.”  I am not sure if this is an actual saying in todays time, but it is true!  I read that researchers suspect that the change in ions on windy days contributes to irritability.  Most agree that wind does change the way people feel, and usually that change is negative.

In our owns lives in this present time we are experiencing difficult situations, and like the wind they can make us irritable. However, these difficult situations give us access to resources we may not have at any other time in our lives.

Consider this: “Like water drawn from the ground or power accessed through a windmill, we gain so much strength when we turn to face the wind of adversity and allow it to bring us closer to the one who gives us living water and spiritual strength. God never promised only sunshine. He never promised trouble free days. He promised His love. He promised His provision.”  Psalm 31:7 says, “I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.”

So in closing … let the wind blow, be encouraged, God is closer than you think - AMEN!

The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? The LORD is for me among those who help me. (Psalm 118:6-7)

I know that you’ve probably noticed that the circumstances of life in this fallen world can bring us to the brink of collapse. However, we read in the Bible - and you have probably experienced this truth in your own life - that God always provides the strength we need to continue on His path.

Sometimes we are merely putting one foot forward at a time.  Sometimes that is all the light we can see on our path at the moment. (Psalm 119:105) 

Sometimes others are believing in God, His goodness, and His Power for us when we can’t believe for ourselves. 

Sometimes others are praying for us when we struggle to pray on our own.

When our God brings us through seasons like this - and He does indeed see us through them - we realize that He truly is the champion for His children. Then we can sing with the psalmist, ”The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14)

That song may not be on your lips right now, but I promise you it will be again someday as it has been in the past because the Lord is for us! Amen church!

“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15

Our Christian life is a cause for celebration, but sometimes we don’t feel much like celebrating. If fact, when the weight of the world seems to bear down upon our shoulders, a celebration may be the last thing on our minds . . . but it shouldn’t be. As God’s children, we are all blessed beyond measure on good days and bad. This day is a non-renewable resource - once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. We should give thanks for this day while using it for the glory of God!

 Let us ponder these thoughts; What will be your attitude today? Will you be fearful, angry, bored, or worried? Will you be cynical, bitter or pessimistic? If so, God wants to have a little talk with you.

 God created us in His own image, (Gen.1:26) and He wants us to experience joy and abundance. However, God will not force His joy upon us; we must claim it for ourselves. Today, and every day thereafter, let us celebrate the life that God has given us. Think optimistically about yourself and your future. Give thanks to the One who gives us everything, and trust in your heart that He wants to give us so much more.

 Let us pray for an attitude that pleases our Lord. In every circumstance, we will strive to celebrate the life He has given us, and we will praise God for His priceless gifts. Amen!

The first song I remember my mother and grandmother singing to me was, “Jesus Loves Me.”  As a three-year-old I sat on my grandmother’s lap in a lawn chair and I remember asking her to sing it over and over again.  I have heard our teachers sing, “Jesus Love the Little Children” and I myself still sing this song to my granddaughter. When we have her for the weekend she asks, “We going to church papa?”  We have a great influence on people by our actions in worship.  We sing these songs to our children and grandchildren today.  We hummed these songs to infants when they are sick, hungry or just crying. Why? Because we were made to worship.

To worship God is to walk through the shadows into a familiar welcoming place, where the fire never dies, and the light is soft and glowing. To worship God is to know we are truly home, acting on a desire deep in our souls. Long before we rationally understand the truth of Christ, we want to praise someone or something for bringing love, joy, and hope into the world.  We are made to be worshipers -- worshipers of God from the heart. Thinking worshipers. Working worshipers.

Teach us to worship, Lord. Not just to be emotionally ecstatic or to just feel good, but heart-based worship of You, my spirit with Your Spirit.  “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)  “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” (Psalm 95:6-7).  “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” (Psalm 89:7) The text

stresses the need for reverence on the part of those who would draw nigh to God and the Bible commands this throughout.  “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  Worship literally means to kiss toward; the act of homage or adoration paid to God.  The concept of reverence raises certain questions which need to be answered for us to more fully understand its significance.  Read Psalm 89:7 again.  “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.”   God is to be exalted above all else.  The natural question then is this:  Have you personally placed Him above everything? Have you worshipped Him reverently?  This is something we must ponder with ourselves and family.