Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Family”
Our Bible verse for today: “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 (NLT)
Our thought for today: “Children are a gift from God.”
The other day I was on an airplane from San Diego to Nashville. In the seat right across the aisle was a young couple holding their 8 month old daughter. She was a little princess, as cute as could be. Normally on long flights I read the entire way, but not so much this time. For much of the flight I sat there making silly faces at the baby. In return she laughed and giggled and smiled. I think she loved me.
In Psalm 127:3 King Solomon reminds us that children are a gift from God. That’s true not just for parents and grandparents, but children are a gift from God for entire societies, and for neighborhoods, and for church families, and for bored airline passengers. Children are a gift from God period, and all of our lives are enriched by having plenty of them around.
As we conclude our month of devotional messages on the theme of “family” I want us to think about how important children are to our homes, our churches, and to our society. Not only do they represent the future, but their presence in our lives greatly enriches our lives. And, we all have a responsibility to see that they are raised well, protected, nurtured, and loved.
The Bible provides a plethora of guidance on how to raise children Biblically – guidance for parents, yes, but for the rest of us too. Chapter twelve of my book “Walking with Paul” provides an in-depth study of Paul’s teaching about the parent/child relationship as he presented it in Ephesians chapter six. You can get a copy of that book at www.JimMersereauBooks.com or, if you visit with us at Oak Hill Baptist Church, I would be happy to give you a copy as a gift. On my website you can also access the free article “A Biblical Model for Parenting”.
We all have a vested interest in ensuring that the children around us are thriving and well. Children are indeed a gift from God. Let’s praise Him for them and then let’s make sure that the children in our lives are well-cared for, loved, nurtured, and raised in good Christian homes.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 