And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.
Our heavenly Father, in giving His Word, did not overlook the children. In all that men have written, where can be found anything that has such a hold upon the heart, anything so well adapted to awaken the interest of the little ones, as the stories of the Bible? In these simple stories may be made plain the great principles of the law of God.
The Sabbath school affords to parents and children a precious opportunity for the study of God’s Word…. Parents, set apart a little time each day for the study of the Sabbath school lesson with your children…. Parents, as well as children, will receive benefit from this study. Let the more important passages of Scripture connected with the lesson be committed to memory, not as a task, but as a privilege….
Observe system in the study of the Scriptures in your families. Neglect anything of a temporal nature; … but be sure that the soul is fed with the bread of life.
Many are the benefits derived from feasting on His Word…. Habits of self-control are formed and strengthened. The infirmities of childhood—fretfulness, willfulness, selfishness, hasty words, passionate acts—disappear, and in their place are developed the graces of Christian manhood and womanhood.
We need to recognize the Holy Spirit as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children, and discover to them the treasures and beauties of the Word. The promises spoken by the Great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the receptive mind a familiarity with divine things which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy.
The Faith I Live By p. 271
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Prayer Requests
—-I just found out today that my second cousin, whom I never met, committed suicide by hanging her self on December 9. Her 6-year-old son was the one who found her. Please pray for her family. They are devastated. Mary
—- I have a request for my mother. My mom is my best friend and she is 81. I believe she is developing Alzheimer’s. Heather
—-Please pray for one of my sons. He’s acting different I’m afraid he’s become suicidal again. Connie
—-Please pray for my friend who is in the hospital and refusing life saving meds because she is delusional. Please pray she is healed of both the brain/ mental problem and the life threatening illness and will reunite with her grown children that she delusionally thinks are trying to kill her. Please pray for her children too they’ve been dealing with this for a long time and getting progressively worse. They always had a loving relationship before. It’s breaking their hearts. Laura
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, I heard of a church where some members were acting in a most un-Christian manner. It seems that a few of these members had heard a certain man speak who had written about the pagan origins of Christmas and some other holidays. As I understand it, this author was urging Christians to have nothing to do with these holidays.
These church members began to believe that it was wrong if a fragrant pine were to be put up in the church for the members to hang gifts for the poor or for missions upon it. They refused to sing or play Christmas carols as well.
Had they stopped at just a belief that it was wrong, things would not have gotten so far out of hand. One night, before the next morning’s service, one of these members entered the church and removed the tree leaving a path of pine needles down the center aisle. The next day, the pianist not only refused to play the songs because they were Christmas carols but sat on the piano bench so no one else could play. This caused much in-fighting and hard feelings. How very sad.
Satan triumphed, for he caused the members on both sides of the issue to sin. How much better it would have been for those who felt that they should have no part in any Christmas celebration to refrain from attending and then when asked, explain their beliefs in a kind and loving way. James reminds us, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:16-18
While most people understand that Christmas was not the actual birthday of our Saviour, this time when the world celebrates the birth of Christ is a wonderful time to speak of Jesus and His great love to those whose mind is normally closed to Heavenly Themes. Christmas is a time to spread God’s last-day message through truth-filled books, for someone will be more inclined to take a gift at this time of year than at any other time.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Phil 2:3 Beloved, “if we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” therefore, let us be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” in our dealings with others showing them the way of truth. 1 John 4:12; Matt 10:16
Rose
Feasting on God’s Word