Children have two choices as they grow up: either to follow the good example their parents are to them in the home or to be influenced by what they see in the world….. Children are seeking for models to follow and if they do not find them in the homes they will be drawn into the world.
The time in which we live is very crucial and children are faced with many challenges and attacks on many fronts. Christian parents need to educate their children in the ways of the Lord so as to prepare them to make the right choice when they grow older. There will come a time when they will need to choose between following Jesus or submitting their lives to the world. Parents have a great responsibility to raise their children in the ways of the Lord.
I am concerned by the fact that money is extremely mentioned in many christian messages and programs today. Why so much emphasis on this subject? Is the church lacking finances? I believe that church leaders should concentrate their preaching on the cross of Jesus Christ, like the early apostles did. The apostle Paul said that he was interested to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified to the churches. Praise God for the cross and for its power to change lives.
I am more and more convinced that, as born again christians, our true family are our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a miracle when God unites hearts of people that have no natural link whatsoever, are of different races, of different cultures. Only Jesus can make that possible and it is so real.
This does not mean that born again christians do not respect their natural parents anymore but it is a fact that their spiritual family becomes more important for them. It cannot be understood by the natural mind.
Jesus made ministerial gifts to the church for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. CTMI ministry is to bring the gospel of the cross to many churches and leaders so that the people of God can reach this maturity that will allow them to serve the Lord efficiently. There are so many false teachings in these last days that bring the hearts of christians to seek material things. But we consider that christians need to strengthen themselves at this time so that they may face all the attacks of the enemy and walk in victory.
The Lord is our provider, our shield, our security, our shepherd, our strong tower, our healer, our all. He is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. Jesus told His disciples and to us all today, not to worry about the things of the natural but to first seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to us.
Let us be concerned about spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and trust Him for the salvation of many families, including children.
Part of God’s grace is the divine power and strength we all need in times of temptation to stop us falling into sin, or in times of hardship that we might not give up the faith, etc. A pure heart is the key for this grace to be manifested and is the basis for God’s provision at all times. The Lord will not act on our behalf unless we have a clean and pure heart. We should not think that we will be able to stand on some scriptural promise and while at the same time fostering unforgiveness or bitterness in our hearts, even against one person, whether he be a Christian or not.
I want to remind you that the New Covenant is a covenant of the heart, and God looks at the state of the heart before He does anything for His children. A typical example is found in Matthew 5:21-24. We see here that the Lord looks at even the smallest of attitudes that will prevent us from receiving the rewards and blessings He has for us. In other words, we cannot serve the Lord and receive the grace we need unless we have a pure heart.
It is usual for nearly all Christians to say a special prayer to the Lord on the first day of the New Year. They also wishes their family and friends a wonderful and prosperous New Year. There is certainly nothing wrong in such a prayer but as we look at the way the Apostle Paul prayed for the church, we get an idea of what we should really pray for, irrespective of who we are, where we live, whether rich or poor, black or white. He prayed for all born again Christians to know Christ better, to be enlightened in the hope to which the Lord has called them, to live a life worthy of Him, to bear fruit in every good work, to become perfect in Christ etc. Eph.1:17-18; Col 1:10-11; Col.1:28; Phil.1:9-11. We can feel that this was his deepest cry to God our Father for the church.
Understanding this important part of the Lord’s will for our lives from Paul’s prayers for the church, let us come before Him with sincere and earnest hearts, praying that we may give our lives to Him in a deeper way, ready for Him to do the work He wants to do in our lives.
May the Holy Spirit help us, as we open ourselves for His plan to be fulfilled. 2010, a challenging year indeed.