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!
Comments
Love the precious photo, the verse is wonderful and your thoughts are fantastic. I have been thinking about this lately as I heard an adventures in odyssey episode a few weeks ago and it so reminded me of those verses in Matthew... I need to work at living life that way at times.
ReplyDeleteBlessing to you today.
Amen! Powerful lesson in this scripture and your insights. Thank you for this great reminder to see God through a childlike faith.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Tracy
P.S. And that photo is precious!
What a sweet photo! I love it. The verse and lesson is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes, they grow up too quickly!
Such a sweet, sweet picture. I love the verse, and your words are always precious.
ReplyDeleteOh girl! That was so well said and so true. Thanks for sharing your heart today.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
God Bless you Sunny,
ReplyDeleteYour children will rise and call you blessed!
Have a wonderful day!
I love to share the lovely photos of your children and grandchildren as I read the blogs. So so precious and never never to early to have God's word in their hearts.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet picture of your son - great verse too!
ReplyDeleteTammy @ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mominmi
Beautifully said!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, we just have to be a child everyday!
Sunny,
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful post and encouraging to us Mommy's! Especially to me raising 8 children. I'm blessed to have read what you shared today!
Thank you and be blessed today!
Love in Him,
Jill
Amen, sister. That picture is DARling, and your words purposeful. I want more of Him and less of me. I want to always remember how very very tall He is.
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious little boy! I know he's not so little anymore...I bet you miss it! I'm so glad you started witnessing to them at an early age - it's NEVER too early. Your post resonated deep in my heart this morning and I couldn't help but think of how prideful I used to be. Praise God He has changed me! Happy WFW!
ReplyDeleteStop by my blog when you get a chance scroll down to see - I have some happies for you...
http://magnoliaheartbeats.blogspot.com/2008/11/awards-day-i-have-been-blessed-so-much.html
Happy WFW!
This is precious!
ReplyDeleteGreat Job. I love the WFW's that incorporate family photos. This is a winner!
THANKS.
Adorable child and beautiful words! What a great way to convey that we need to come to our Heavenly Father, open and unafraid.
ReplyDeleteMy sister in Christ, this is absolutely beautiful. We DO need to be childlike before God with our hearts just that open, not afraid to say or think or sing, completely without self! Awesome, awesome post!
ReplyDeleteSuch a precious photo and what a great verse to go along with it!
ReplyDeleteHappy WFW!
What a cute picture! Smiling baby faces are always so cute!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder to have a childlike heart. May we never forget that innocence of faith.
Have a great WFW!
That face! So precious. I have learned more about God since having my boys than I ever thought possible.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a wonderful WFW.
Wonderful wisdom in your words today. Blessings to you and your precious family.
ReplyDeletethat is so sweet! Happy WFW!
ReplyDeleteLvn the pic!
ReplyDelete& the message, too
Sunny,
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little one. Thank you for sharing him and these valuable truths with us today!!
((hugs))
Lvn the pic!
ReplyDelete& the message, too
Wonderful wisdom in your words today. Blessings to you and your precious family.
ReplyDeleteThis is precious!
ReplyDeleteGreat Job. I love the WFW's that incorporate family photos. This is a winner!
THANKS.
Amen, sister. That picture is DARling, and your words purposeful. I want more of Him and less of me. I want to always remember how very very tall He is.
ReplyDeleteOh girl! That was so well said and so true. Thanks for sharing your heart today.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
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Ephesians 4:29