TEXT:MATTHEW 18:1-14
Key Verse: “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:14)
Children are the world’s most valuable resources and its best hope for the future. God places a high premium on them and Jesus emphasized their worth in the courts of God in His earthly ministry. He wants all His followers to accord children the same benevolence.
In our passage, Jesus warns us to be mindful of the children not to harm them. We must give up what can deal a blow in the life of children no matter how important the things may be to us. No doubt, children are like wet cement; whatever falls on them will make an impression. In everything we do our children, we make deposits in their memory banks. So, the children are like living messages we are sending to a time we will not see.
Although God wants us to be mindful of the way we treat our children, it does not imply we should over indulge them. However, in correcting them, we raise our words and not our voice. Remember, it is rain that grows flowers, not thunderstorm. We should understand each child’s uniqueness and endowment and carefully nurture him or her accordingly.
Always remember that our children are not things to be moulded, but people to be unfolded. Speak words that build their faith, encourage, soothe their pains, clear their confusion, strengthen their determination and build the love of God and their neigbours in them. We should be living examples to these children because they’re great imitators. So, give them great things to imitate. Love them, no matter what. The kids who need the most love will never ask for it or will ask for them in the most unloving way. We must always be there for them.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Our children are the only possession we can take to heaven, if we train them in the Christlike way.
COVER to COVER:* 1 CHRONICLES 26-29; PSALMS 127.
1 Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Refrain:
Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
2 Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find. [Refrain]
3 Oh! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save. [Refrain]
4 Oh! to be like Thee, Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive th’ anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine. [Refrain]
5 Oh! to be like Thee, while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above. [Refrain]
