For the Kids

For the Kids

Acts 13: ²⁶ “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. ²⁷ For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. ²⁸ And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. ²⁹ Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised Him from the dead. ³¹ He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. ³² And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. ³³ God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’

============

“Jump in the car” a neighbor said. I was delighted to be invited to go to the park. “Come bowling with us” another neighbor said. I was elated to do something I had never done. “Stay for dinner” another neighbor said to me. “Of course!” I answered with stomach growling.

• Many times I have been treated well by my neighbors.
• Many times I have seen generosity in action.
• Many times I have been given gifts and opportunities just because someone wanted to do something just because I was a kid.

Paul continues to preach. He explains that the very person who was lied about, shamed, murdered and put in a tomb was the being they should have paid attention to. JESUS was who Paul spoke about fervently. He also explained how GOD raised JESUS from the dead.

• GOD did amazing things just for me.
• GOD raised JESUS from the dead, just for me.
• JESUS fulfilled all prophecy, just for me.

The FATHER does care. HE watches over me, guides me and loves me so much that HE allowed HIS SON to be murdered for me. HE raised HIM form the dead, giving HIM all authority. HE has shown extreme care. I am grateful for HIS love.

• Are you alone?
• Do you need to be shown love?
• Will you look to GOD and know HE loves you dearly just for being you?

Consoled by Your Children’s Actions

Ezekiel 14: ²¹ “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem my four dreadful judgments—sword and famine and wild beasts and plague—to kill its men and their animals! ²² Yet there will be some survivors—sons and daughters who will be brought out of it. They will come to you, and when you see their conduct and their actions, you will be consoled regarding the disaster I have brought on Jerusalem—every disaster I have brought on it. ²³ You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

============

Raising children is no small task. I mean watching them from infantile frailty all the way to adulthood can be quite tenuous. Every cut, bruise or ailment cuts me to the bone. Sometimes I question GOD as to why they have to go through turmoil.

• Sometimes I wonder “Why the pain?”
• Sometimes I ponder “Why the turmoil?
• Sometimes I contemplate “Why the difficulty in life?”

Even before I had children, I dreaded the thought of bringing a life into the world as it existed. Killing, hatred and disease seemed like a dreadful place to want to have more people grow up. BUT GOD said something different.

• GOD said to me “Your children are MINE and I need them to do something that only they can do.”
• GOD said to me “I will enable them to survive and you will be consoled by their conduct.”
• GOD said to me “I hold all life in MY hand to those who believe in ME, no one can pluck them out of MY hand.”

GOD is the deliverer. Only HE can bring people out of difficulty. No doctor, lawyer, or financial institution can save one soul, BUT GOD can and is willing! HE throws my sins away and saves me from calamity and HE blesses my family with compassionate protection. I can only thank GOD for HIS continual fortification.

• Are your kids going through something>?
• Are you worried about someone else and feel helpless?
• Can you give your worries to the LORD by telling HIM how you feel?
• Will you ask GOD to help the part of you that does not believe?
• Will you praise GOD today in the middle of your thoughts?