Dear Readers! God’s Peace!
Before I start on this week’s article, I did want to share with you a little from my heart on this greeting of God’s Peace! I know that many of you in foreign countries that read these articles may not fully understand why I use this. Well, for one thing, it has been a tradition in the ALCA for many years. It is much more than a custom to me though. I say it because, from the heart, I would want that each one have the Peace of God in their heart. If they do not have it, I hope they would soon be able to repent and believe the Gospel so that they can have the Peace that passeth all understanding for their own heart.
If they are already Christians, then I want to assure them again that this peace is a precious and very valuable thing to have. Oh that nothing would come into their lives that would take the Peace of God away. To me, this greeting is a shortened version of what we see in the New Testament so often when the writers greet us with Grace, Mercy and Peace at the beginning of each book. God’s Peace is blessing. It is a sharing of the heart, a desire to share his love, peace, and mercy with all that I meet. After all, who would we not want to have the Peace of God? I am sure that you and I agree, we would want everyone to have this, just as our Lord also desires this. He desires this much more fully and perfectly than us of course.
Here are some things that I pray that I never let this greeting become in my heart. I do not want to use it to show that I am from a certain church. I do not want to use it as a judgment tool as to whether or not I believe one to be in faith. In other words, I do not want to say it to only believers, and skip over those that I judge not to be. I am not a judge. I also do not want to say it out of obligation, or out of tradition only. I want to use this greeting as a blessing! So with that, again I say God’s Peace!
Yesterday, my wife and my son made a journey to a city 2 hours away to pick up a dear brother, Pastor Dennis Hilman. He is visiting America for a couple weeks. After we picked him up, we went to dinner, after which we went for a walk along the shore of the largest fresh water lake in the world. What a beautiful evening it was. God is so good that He gives us His beautiful Creation to enjoy!
As we were walking along, we saw a very large ship leaving the harbor. Some thoughts came to mind. First of all, the ship had to go into the safe harbor to load up for the journey. The ship was safe and secure from the large waves of the sea. This to me is a small picture of how Christians are safe in the arms of Jesus. There can be huge waves in the sea, but we are safely in port! Under His Wings! What a blessing to be under the care and protection of our great protector, the One that set the bounds to the sea! Enjoy your safe harbor, all that are the redeemed of the Lord!
When the large ship was going out to sea, I also thought of the rudder, or helm which is the steering of the ship. We read in James 3:4-10 (KJV)
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
I pray that each one of us would take notice of this scripture and control our tongue, so that our ship of faith would not stray and become shipwrecked!
Until next week, continue to dwell in the safe harbors of our Lord Jesus Christ! John
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Heavenly Dew
I was reminded of a portion of scripture from the Old Testament last week by a dear older pastor. After he commented briefly on this, I went to the Bible and found the story. Here it is: Judges 6:36-40 (KJV)
And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, 37Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. 38And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. 39And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. 40And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
Here we have the precious Word of God before us. As we know, in so many places in scripture the children of God are referred to as sheep. Fleece of wool are from the sheep. Here, Gideon wanted to hear from God. He wanted to hear from the Lord. We also must want to hear from God, whether at church, or in our daily lives.
The Lord surely spoke to Gideon. The fleece was very wet, and the ground was dry. See, the Lord caused the fleece to become wet, so much so that a bowl full of water was wrong out of it. This is how it is for Christians when God speaks to us. We can become moistened, by His Word which often is pictured as water in the scriptures. The Water of the Word moistens us. It makes us joyful. Our cup can run over as in the Psalm. These are the Waters of Living Water, like the wells of Salvation spoken about in Isaiah Chapter 12.
When we turn to our Bibles, or go to hear God’s Word, or preach God’s Word, let us remember that as in this story, God made the fleece wet. It is totally by Him that we can be feed, watered, comforted, strengthened, and it is from Him that all of our blessings flow. We do not get this from some man or pastor; though they may be used as tools in His vineyard. No, we get these blessings from God Himself. Praise and thank God for this.
Notice how afterward, when the fleece was put out a second time, it remained dry and the ground was wet. Still this is from God. We must remember that He is in control of the watering. No one else has part in this. We must humbly accept this fact, and understand as written in Lament. 3:22-23 (KJV)
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
My Lord has been so merciful to me. His faithfulness has been so great! I deserve nothing but punishment, but because of what His own Son has done for me, He has given me Salvation! What a wonderful, marvelous Saviour! I trust He is your Saviour too! Look to Him to shower you with blessings. Look only to him to moisten you with His Holy Word. Only He can do this. Be ready to soak it in!
Dear Pastors, study His Word. Pray for enlightenment. Be vigilant in sticking with Truth of God’s Word. Your own words will not moisten or help anyone, but God’s Word surely will. Your congregants will only be moistened when you are willing and obedient to being used as His tool as you preach His Word.
Be encouraged that God does the watering, as in our text. Rest that all is by and through Him. Let each of us as the sheep of our Lord, be willing to be moistened with Heavenly Blessings!
Have a Blessed Week!
God’s Peace! John
And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, 37Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. 38And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. 39And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. 40And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
Here we have the precious Word of God before us. As we know, in so many places in scripture the children of God are referred to as sheep. Fleece of wool are from the sheep. Here, Gideon wanted to hear from God. He wanted to hear from the Lord. We also must want to hear from God, whether at church, or in our daily lives.
The Lord surely spoke to Gideon. The fleece was very wet, and the ground was dry. See, the Lord caused the fleece to become wet, so much so that a bowl full of water was wrong out of it. This is how it is for Christians when God speaks to us. We can become moistened, by His Word which often is pictured as water in the scriptures. The Water of the Word moistens us. It makes us joyful. Our cup can run over as in the Psalm. These are the Waters of Living Water, like the wells of Salvation spoken about in Isaiah Chapter 12.
When we turn to our Bibles, or go to hear God’s Word, or preach God’s Word, let us remember that as in this story, God made the fleece wet. It is totally by Him that we can be feed, watered, comforted, strengthened, and it is from Him that all of our blessings flow. We do not get this from some man or pastor; though they may be used as tools in His vineyard. No, we get these blessings from God Himself. Praise and thank God for this.
Notice how afterward, when the fleece was put out a second time, it remained dry and the ground was wet. Still this is from God. We must remember that He is in control of the watering. No one else has part in this. We must humbly accept this fact, and understand as written in Lament. 3:22-23 (KJV)
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
My Lord has been so merciful to me. His faithfulness has been so great! I deserve nothing but punishment, but because of what His own Son has done for me, He has given me Salvation! What a wonderful, marvelous Saviour! I trust He is your Saviour too! Look to Him to shower you with blessings. Look only to him to moisten you with His Holy Word. Only He can do this. Be ready to soak it in!
Dear Pastors, study His Word. Pray for enlightenment. Be vigilant in sticking with Truth of God’s Word. Your own words will not moisten or help anyone, but God’s Word surely will. Your congregants will only be moistened when you are willing and obedient to being used as His tool as you preach His Word.
Be encouraged that God does the watering, as in our text. Rest that all is by and through Him. Let each of us as the sheep of our Lord, be willing to be moistened with Heavenly Blessings!
Have a Blessed Week!
God’s Peace! John
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Potter and the clay
The Potter and the Clay
Romans 9:21 (KJV)
Hath not the potter power over the clay…
This week I will endeavor to share with you a little story about the potter and the clay. Many times in scriptures we can see that we are as clay, the Lord is the Potter. In many of our countries there are people (potters) that make clay pots or containers.
One of the first things that takes place in the work area of the potter is that he takes a lump of clay and places it in the middle of the potters wheel. The clay at this stage does not look very attractive, as it is only a lump of earth colored substance. Clay at this stage is in a very workable state. It must be placed in the very center of the wheel or it cannot be worked on at all.
Mankind must be willing to both be pliable and workable, and must be willing to be centered and be in proper sync with the Lord. Picture Christ as the center point of the wheel. We must be focused and centered on Christ Jesus (die to self) before the Lord, the Great Potter can work on us.
As the potters’ wheel starts to turn, the potter takes water, and sprinkles it onto the clay while forming the clay with his own hands. We know water is pictured as the Word in scriptures. The word (water) is applied to the lump of clay (mankind) as the Potter (the Lord) molds it. That useless lump soon starts to take shape. The lump grows up from the gentle work of the hands of the potter. Mankind, when worked on by the Lord, will also grow and be shaped as He sees fit.
Notice this: If the potter finds a rock, of foreign object in the clay as he is molding it, he must stop the wheel. He then takes the partially formed project, finds that object that is ruining the soon to be pot. The potter then has to take the partially formed pot, break it down, take out the foreign rock or object, pound it back into a lump and start all over. Notice that the Potter does not discard the clay, he just takes out the bad part, and starts over. This is how the Great Potter, or Lord, deals with mankind. Have you ever had to be worked on by our Lord? Is he still working on you today? Do you have a sin that needs to be plucked out so the Lord can continue working with you? Sin is a problem and must be plucked out. Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Be uplifted, he will not toss you aside, He will keep molding and working on you. Isaiah 42:3 (KJV)
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Do not be disheartened. Continue on!
Philip. 1:6 (KJV)
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Our Lord loves us and will keep working on us. Let us be centered and pliable in His hands.
Now the Potter keeps working on the clay. Again He builds up that lump, He keeps working on it until he forms it into a perfect pot. Is the pot now ready for use? It is in the proper shape; it looks like a pot, but is it ready? No, it is not, it must be tried by fire before it is finished, if not it will fall apart very quickly. 1 Cor. 3:13 (KJV)
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Do you feel like you have been or are being tried by fire? This is what has to be done according to scripture to make us ready for full service. This needs be done to make us a complete tool for work in His Kingdom. Do not become discouraged, but rather rejoice as these scriptures instruct: 1 Peter 4:13 (KJV)
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 1:6 (KJV)
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Am I willing to be worked on by the Great Potter, our Lord? I am willing to have Jesus Christ be the center of my universe, to be my all in all? Oh that God would give each of us the Grace to always remember that we are the Clay and He is the potter!
Our Lord loves us so much. We know that the potters here on earth would not want anyone to destroy the pots they have made. After all, they have spent hours working on it. So very much more, our Lord does not want us to be destroyed or lost. He created us in His own image. He sent His only Son to die for us. He bought us back, He has Redeemed us! The Lord surely does not want to lose us: Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
…..for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
When the potter has finished the project, after it has been tried by fire, it is ready now for use in hauling water, or being able to be used to hold other precious substances. Are we ready for use in His Kingdom? When we are, we will be found holding the most precious substance of all, Faith given to us by and through the Redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ! All Glory goes to God for both the substance placed in the Heart of His believers, and for the creating, molding, and making our entire beings. Be as in Romans 4:20 (KJV)
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
All Glory to God! Halleluiah, Amen
Romans 9:21 (KJV)
Hath not the potter power over the clay…
This week I will endeavor to share with you a little story about the potter and the clay. Many times in scriptures we can see that we are as clay, the Lord is the Potter. In many of our countries there are people (potters) that make clay pots or containers.
One of the first things that takes place in the work area of the potter is that he takes a lump of clay and places it in the middle of the potters wheel. The clay at this stage does not look very attractive, as it is only a lump of earth colored substance. Clay at this stage is in a very workable state. It must be placed in the very center of the wheel or it cannot be worked on at all.
Mankind must be willing to both be pliable and workable, and must be willing to be centered and be in proper sync with the Lord. Picture Christ as the center point of the wheel. We must be focused and centered on Christ Jesus (die to self) before the Lord, the Great Potter can work on us.
As the potters’ wheel starts to turn, the potter takes water, and sprinkles it onto the clay while forming the clay with his own hands. We know water is pictured as the Word in scriptures. The word (water) is applied to the lump of clay (mankind) as the Potter (the Lord) molds it. That useless lump soon starts to take shape. The lump grows up from the gentle work of the hands of the potter. Mankind, when worked on by the Lord, will also grow and be shaped as He sees fit.
Notice this: If the potter finds a rock, of foreign object in the clay as he is molding it, he must stop the wheel. He then takes the partially formed project, finds that object that is ruining the soon to be pot. The potter then has to take the partially formed pot, break it down, take out the foreign rock or object, pound it back into a lump and start all over. Notice that the Potter does not discard the clay, he just takes out the bad part, and starts over. This is how the Great Potter, or Lord, deals with mankind. Have you ever had to be worked on by our Lord? Is he still working on you today? Do you have a sin that needs to be plucked out so the Lord can continue working with you? Sin is a problem and must be plucked out. Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Be uplifted, he will not toss you aside, He will keep molding and working on you. Isaiah 42:3 (KJV)
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Do not be disheartened. Continue on!
Philip. 1:6 (KJV)
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Our Lord loves us and will keep working on us. Let us be centered and pliable in His hands.
Now the Potter keeps working on the clay. Again He builds up that lump, He keeps working on it until he forms it into a perfect pot. Is the pot now ready for use? It is in the proper shape; it looks like a pot, but is it ready? No, it is not, it must be tried by fire before it is finished, if not it will fall apart very quickly. 1 Cor. 3:13 (KJV)
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Do you feel like you have been or are being tried by fire? This is what has to be done according to scripture to make us ready for full service. This needs be done to make us a complete tool for work in His Kingdom. Do not become discouraged, but rather rejoice as these scriptures instruct: 1 Peter 4:13 (KJV)
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 1:6 (KJV)
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Am I willing to be worked on by the Great Potter, our Lord? I am willing to have Jesus Christ be the center of my universe, to be my all in all? Oh that God would give each of us the Grace to always remember that we are the Clay and He is the potter!
Our Lord loves us so much. We know that the potters here on earth would not want anyone to destroy the pots they have made. After all, they have spent hours working on it. So very much more, our Lord does not want us to be destroyed or lost. He created us in His own image. He sent His only Son to die for us. He bought us back, He has Redeemed us! The Lord surely does not want to lose us: Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
…..for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
When the potter has finished the project, after it has been tried by fire, it is ready now for use in hauling water, or being able to be used to hold other precious substances. Are we ready for use in His Kingdom? When we are, we will be found holding the most precious substance of all, Faith given to us by and through the Redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ! All Glory goes to God for both the substance placed in the Heart of His believers, and for the creating, molding, and making our entire beings. Be as in Romans 4:20 (KJV)
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
All Glory to God! Halleluiah, Amen
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Children of the Heavenly Father
Dear Readers, God’s Peace!
This week it has been placed on my heart to speak about children. I have noticed on my trips into many of your countries that there are very many children. This is a joy to see. Children are so precious.
However, when I have seen so many children, my thoughts have also been turned to sadness and urgency. This is because many of these children have parents that are not Christians. The parents may be Buddhists, Hindus, Muslim, Atheists, or just plain unbelievers.
The urgency I feel, is that it surely would be nice to be able to reach these children in time with the message of Jesus Christ before they come of age and they are indoctrinated into these non saving religions. I am so saddened when many millions and billions of children grow to adulthood and become members of non saving religions. Oh that they could hear the Truth of God’s Word in Jesus Christ unto the salvation of their souls.
Dear pastors, missionaries, and other true Christians. Be encouraged to continue to minister unto and teach the children. God’s Word in Proverbs 22:6 says
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
All children are created by God in His own image. He created all, He loves all, Jesus died for all, and all are still loved by our Lord. He wants that all would be saved. We know from God’s word that not all, but rather only a small portion of mankind will be saved. Thus we must proceed with the preaching of His word with great urgency. Life does not last very long at all. Many need to hear the Gospel and repent during this time of Grace. Very small children however, I believe are already believers. God created them and gives them faith. This is shown in John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Notice how it says every man that cometh into the world. All have had the light (Jesus) at one time!
We have many scriptures that I will share with you here that show that the children are very special in the eyes of our Lord.
Matthew 18:3
.. Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
. Matthew 18:6 (KJV)
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. The ones offending them and hurting them will be punished, not the little ones.
Matthew 19:14 (KJV)
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus said, become as little children. This is because they are innocent. Of such is the kingdom of heaven. This is the exact same reason that we baptize infants because they believe!
Mark 16:16 (KJV)
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Scripture says he that believeth and is baptized. We know that children believe, that is why we baptize them. Baptism does not save them, they already believe and are saved, therefore we baptize. If we did not consider Children to be in a saved state, it would be wrong to baptize infants. Even in the Old Testament we see that circumcision, which baptism replaced in the New Testament, took place at 8 days old. Children were special even in the Old Testament.
God created each man in his own image. Sin came into the world through Adam and Eve. Because of sin, we all now have the sinful portion. However children, until they come of an age when they are on their own thoughts, thinking, reasoning, start rebelling, and so forth, they have a childlike faith (the light we read about in John) given by their creator and made possible through Jesus Christ!
In Isaiah 1:18-20 (KJV) it says.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Children are not yet able to refuse and rebel against the Grace of God when small infants. The tiny children are willing and obedient, and shall eat of the good of the land. Should infants pass away, they shall go to heaven, I believe!
I surely would like to continue this discussion, but this letter is already getting too long for a blog and email. Lord willing in future weeks, we will look further into Children, Baptism, and other very important teaching of Jesus and the entire Bible.
May God Bless your Week! John
This week it has been placed on my heart to speak about children. I have noticed on my trips into many of your countries that there are very many children. This is a joy to see. Children are so precious.
However, when I have seen so many children, my thoughts have also been turned to sadness and urgency. This is because many of these children have parents that are not Christians. The parents may be Buddhists, Hindus, Muslim, Atheists, or just plain unbelievers.
The urgency I feel, is that it surely would be nice to be able to reach these children in time with the message of Jesus Christ before they come of age and they are indoctrinated into these non saving religions. I am so saddened when many millions and billions of children grow to adulthood and become members of non saving religions. Oh that they could hear the Truth of God’s Word in Jesus Christ unto the salvation of their souls.
Dear pastors, missionaries, and other true Christians. Be encouraged to continue to minister unto and teach the children. God’s Word in Proverbs 22:6 says
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
All children are created by God in His own image. He created all, He loves all, Jesus died for all, and all are still loved by our Lord. He wants that all would be saved. We know from God’s word that not all, but rather only a small portion of mankind will be saved. Thus we must proceed with the preaching of His word with great urgency. Life does not last very long at all. Many need to hear the Gospel and repent during this time of Grace. Very small children however, I believe are already believers. God created them and gives them faith. This is shown in John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Notice how it says every man that cometh into the world. All have had the light (Jesus) at one time!
We have many scriptures that I will share with you here that show that the children are very special in the eyes of our Lord.
Matthew 18:3
.. Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
. Matthew 18:6 (KJV)
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. The ones offending them and hurting them will be punished, not the little ones.
Matthew 19:14 (KJV)
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus said, become as little children. This is because they are innocent. Of such is the kingdom of heaven. This is the exact same reason that we baptize infants because they believe!
Mark 16:16 (KJV)
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Scripture says he that believeth and is baptized. We know that children believe, that is why we baptize them. Baptism does not save them, they already believe and are saved, therefore we baptize. If we did not consider Children to be in a saved state, it would be wrong to baptize infants. Even in the Old Testament we see that circumcision, which baptism replaced in the New Testament, took place at 8 days old. Children were special even in the Old Testament.
God created each man in his own image. Sin came into the world through Adam and Eve. Because of sin, we all now have the sinful portion. However children, until they come of an age when they are on their own thoughts, thinking, reasoning, start rebelling, and so forth, they have a childlike faith (the light we read about in John) given by their creator and made possible through Jesus Christ!
In Isaiah 1:18-20 (KJV) it says.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Children are not yet able to refuse and rebel against the Grace of God when small infants. The tiny children are willing and obedient, and shall eat of the good of the land. Should infants pass away, they shall go to heaven, I believe!
I surely would like to continue this discussion, but this letter is already getting too long for a blog and email. Lord willing in future weeks, we will look further into Children, Baptism, and other very important teaching of Jesus and the entire Bible.
May God Bless your Week! John
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)