"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" 3 John 4
I suppose the true impact of this verse is not fully realized until the time in a person's life when he or she looks back over the course of their life to examine the fruit of their labors. At least that's how it's been with me in seeing that done for Christ in the harvest fields of ministry. While I look forward to many more years of continuing opportunity and service, should the Lord tarry, God has blessed me so richly in recent days with the knowledge of my children in the faith.
The principles of this passage are obviously true with regard to physical children, as well as spiritual ones, Since I do not have physical children, my meditation on this truth relates to those spiritual children for whom God has given me privilege and responsibility. Some of those children are ones with whom I've had the joy of sharing the Scriptures that God has used to draw them to Christ, as Savior. The wonderful miracle of spiritual birth never loses its wonder and awe to me. The fact that God draws one to Himself, and upon repentance and faith, accomplishes the work of regeneration in their life is the greatest miracle in the world! What a blessing to see God progressively transform thoughts, deeds, and words into the conformity of His Son is a continuation of that miracle. Praise the Lord!
Some of them are ones who have demonstrated such a desire before the Lord to learn, change and grow in their faith. It is a sobering thought to understand that the work of God is done by the Word of God to the glory of God. That gives such freedom and confidence in simply proclaiming the Word of God and praying faithfully and fervently for each "child".
Other children of which I am thinking are those ministry disciples that God has placed under my parental watch care over these past years of traveling across the country to teach ladies how to communicate biblical hope to those in human crisis through HOPE IN CRISIS (R) seminars. Hearing and seeing them continue to walk in truth brings such joy, as they evangelize, exhort and encourage those whom God places in their sphere of influence.
Its true, I never fully realized the impact of 1 John 4 until more recently, However, the take away that I want to leave with you today is, that God brought me to a serious realization of its importance many years ago. It was because God had burdened my heart in these matters that I asked for wisdom and guidance in doing what He called me to do, and He has so richly blessed!
Praise the Lord for the privilege if being in His service, by His grace, for His sake, to His glory!
(C) 2014 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
HOPE IN CRISIS (R) is the registered trademark of Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN
I suppose the true impact of this verse is not fully realized until the time in a person's life when he or she looks back over the course of their life to examine the fruit of their labors. At least that's how it's been with me in seeing that done for Christ in the harvest fields of ministry. While I look forward to many more years of continuing opportunity and service, should the Lord tarry, God has blessed me so richly in recent days with the knowledge of my children in the faith.
The principles of this passage are obviously true with regard to physical children, as well as spiritual ones, Since I do not have physical children, my meditation on this truth relates to those spiritual children for whom God has given me privilege and responsibility. Some of those children are ones with whom I've had the joy of sharing the Scriptures that God has used to draw them to Christ, as Savior. The wonderful miracle of spiritual birth never loses its wonder and awe to me. The fact that God draws one to Himself, and upon repentance and faith, accomplishes the work of regeneration in their life is the greatest miracle in the world! What a blessing to see God progressively transform thoughts, deeds, and words into the conformity of His Son is a continuation of that miracle. Praise the Lord!
Some of them are ones who have demonstrated such a desire before the Lord to learn, change and grow in their faith. It is a sobering thought to understand that the work of God is done by the Word of God to the glory of God. That gives such freedom and confidence in simply proclaiming the Word of God and praying faithfully and fervently for each "child".
Other children of which I am thinking are those ministry disciples that God has placed under my parental watch care over these past years of traveling across the country to teach ladies how to communicate biblical hope to those in human crisis through HOPE IN CRISIS (R) seminars. Hearing and seeing them continue to walk in truth brings such joy, as they evangelize, exhort and encourage those whom God places in their sphere of influence.
Its true, I never fully realized the impact of 1 John 4 until more recently, However, the take away that I want to leave with you today is, that God brought me to a serious realization of its importance many years ago. It was because God had burdened my heart in these matters that I asked for wisdom and guidance in doing what He called me to do, and He has so richly blessed!
Praise the Lord for the privilege if being in His service, by His grace, for His sake, to His glory!
(C) 2014 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
HOPE IN CRISIS (R) is the registered trademark of Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN