Tuesday, October 29, 2013

LET THE CHILDREN COME

CHILDREN PRAISE HIM

Read
Psalm 8:1–9

     LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise… Psalm 8:1–2a NIV
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      Our majestic Lord, Creator of the heavens, has ordained the praise of infants and children – how important then, must those little ones be to Him! Whether we work outside our homes, or in our homes, there is no job more significant than teaching, training and loving our children. These are the ones who Jesus says will make up his kingdom. We must introduce them to Him at the earliest opportunity for He has said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Mark 10:14b)
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      Dear Jesus, You said that “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” (Matthew 18:5 NKJV) May our actions today be a blessing to our children and may our home be a welcoming place where they can bring their friends. I ask You for the wisdom we need to accomplish what You have ordained this day. Thank you for entrusting us with this awesome responsibility
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     "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.   Mark 10:15–16 NIV

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

IN THE MORNING

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

Read Psalm 5:1–12; 143:8

     In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3
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     The Psalmist David found his strength each morning as he prayed and lifted up his requests to God. He believed that God heard him and he waited in expectation. On one occasion, he prayed,
     “Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You." ( Psalms 143:8)
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     Each day should find us praying for the children God has given to us. Whether they are small and still at home or going off each morning to school, sports or work–they need the cover of our prayers.
     We can pray like David, “Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:11-12)
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      Dear Heavenly Father, watch over our children today wherever they are. I rejoice in You this morning because I know that You hear my voice. I lift up to You my specific requests and wait in expectation for Your answer.
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     How precious is Your loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 36:7 NKJV

Friday, October 4, 2013

A TREE PLANTED BY WATER

FRUIT IN SEASON

Read Psalm 1


      Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly… His delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.  Psalm 1: 1a, 2-3 NKJV
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      God's Word never goes out of vogue for Christians. It is relevant for every stage of life, and is the source of life itself. 
     Believers who ask the Lord for wisdom with their children will find it, for he has promised, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6 NKJV)
     Then when the children are grown, God's Word says that those parents will still bear fruit in old age and be fresh and flourishing. (Psalm 92:14 NKJV)
 
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       Lord, I want to meditate daily on Your Word so that I can sort out the many voices of advice that the world gives. Only by knowing the truth can I recognize error, and find that narrow way that leads to life. Help me to influence our children so that they too will "delight in the law of the Lord." and avoid the "counsel of the ungodly."
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      Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV