From Jeremiah 31:2-3: “Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the swordfound grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest,the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love;therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
From John 10:14-16: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
From 1 Corinthians 15:56-58: “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
From Romans 12:1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
From Hebrews 6:19-20: “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
From Psalm 3:3-4: “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me,my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord,and He answers me from His holy hill.”
From Acts 13:23-25: “Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as He promised; before His coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his work, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. No, but One is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of the sandals on His feet.’”
The headlines read of child pornography, drugs, alcohol, depression, teen-age suicide, murder, abuse and much, much more! Sometimes, we might feel that if we don’t read the newspapers or listen to news reports, we can forget those things are there. We would like them to go away. We would like to forget they exist. Unfortunately, we know they won’t go away, and our hearts are sickened by that painful truth. How are these horrible realities affecting the lives of our precious children? They are not only in the high schools. You can find them in elementary schools, day care facilities, and on street corners everywhere. It breaks my heart to read of the young victims held in the clutches of such evils. More than that, it makes me angry!
The Word of God tells us to be angry and sin not! We should be angry at the evils around our children. These children are a gift from God, but the gift was not free. It came with a price tag of awesome responsibility. How foolish is the parent who takes that responsibility lightly. We are in a battle against Satan. If God is to control our children’s lives when they become adults, we must train them as children. We cannot handle their lives as though they are nothing but toys or play things, and expect God to let us off without answering for it. Our children must be armed for battle by knowing God and His Word. Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness by using Scripture, and we have the power to do the same! How can we allow our children to go out into this worldly battle unarmed? We must teach them what is right, and show them how to have the strength to stand up for it.
A dear friend of mine has shared something very special with me. She also wonders about the effects of the evils of this world on her children. She has always prayed for their lives each day. Since it has become a burden in her heart, she has started praying for their children’s safe future before she goes to bed at night. She goes into their room after they’re asleep, and places her hand on them as she prays. As you touch the child you brought into this world, how can you not feel the great responsibility to pray for their health, their school years, and their adult lives? I challenge you to do this for your children!
It takes an awesome commitment to be a parent; to pray for them at night, to teach them each day, and to live what you teach. Without that commitment, will your child become one of the statistics?
Prayer
Oh Father, help me feel the burden of responsibility for my children’s lives. Help me to be faithful to pray and teach each one in the way they should go. Show me today where I’ve failed as a parent in the past. Forgive me when I take this position lightly. Help me to live a life that is consistent with what I teach. Father, use my children for Your glory, that Jesus may be seen in them. Amen.
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This devotion is written by my wife, Colleen. It is taken from the contents of her book, BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART. Inspired by her own Christian faith and a mother’s love for her daughters, Colleen’s writings feature short stories, devotions, and poetry. These are intended for reading by adults and teens. The final two sections of the book share her inventory of activities and songs to enjoy with young children. Her book is available online at your favorite outlet.
From Psalm 103:2-4: “Bless the Lord, O my soul,and do not forget all His benefits—who forgives all your iniquity,who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit,who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”
From Psalm 103:13-14: “As a father has compassion for his children,so the Lord has compassion for those who fear Him. For He knows how we were made; He remembers that we are dust.”
From Isaiah 9:6: “For a child has been born for us,a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders,and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Courtesy of Pinterest.
Ultimate grace appears
Sharing Father’s every love
Savior’s purity shall breathe
Holy Spirit waits above
Virgin mother gives birth
Revealing destiny’s sign
Emmanuel will walk with us
Glory forever divine
Out of darkness stirs light
Echoing heavenly choir
Witness Messiah’s first breath
Peace honors Father’s desires
Come all to Bethlehem
Embracing hope born this night
Answer to prayers arrives
Shepherds praise this newborn Knight
Brilliant star fills with joy
Hearing each mountaintop sing
Timeless pledges beam with truth
Salvation this Prince shall bring
Courtesy of Pinterest.
As Christians around the world celebrate the birth of their eternal Savior, you are invited to listen to one of the season’s most stirring hymns, “All Come, All Ye Faithful.”
From Psalm 92:12-15: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Our bodies may age, but we get old only if we choose to do so–attitude is what makes the difference.”
In the total expanse of human life, there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, “That is Mine!”
From Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) was a Dutch pastor, journalist, statesman, and Christian theologian. He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901-1905.
From Psalm 80:3: “Restore us, O God;let Your face shine, that we may be saved.”
Courtesy of Pinterest.
From highest heavens
Father’s love descends
Destiny of hope
Bringing light, darkness bends
Witnessed from above
Father’s love restores
Salvation’s light waits
Rising tides come ashore
Aligned with David
Father’s love defines
Gospel breathes through One
Restoring light divine
Filled with angel’s joy
Father’s love unfolds
Prophecy fulfilled
Embracing light so bold
Virgin carries child
Father’s love reframes
Emmanuel’s light
Bearing peace in His name
Courtesy of Pinterest.
From Isaiah 7:13-14: “Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.'”
One of the most stirring of hymns during Advent is “What Child is This.” The lyrics were composed by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, in 1865. The melody follows the familiar tune of “Greensleeves.” Here is American singer, Vikki Carr, sharing her interpretation of this beloved song.
Big Sky Buckeye 