Without a doubt, God gave children as blessings. 

Are they blessings to provide us entertainment?  Are they blessings to bring us pride?  Are they blessings only for their obedience?  Are they blessings for their future ability to provide us monetary gifts?

Hmmm? 

Maybe their blessings because they offer us (as parents) opportunities to glimpse how God might look at us (people).  We need His love.  We need His discipline.  We need His patience.  We need His grace.  We need His teachings.  We need His provisions.  We need His law.  We need . . . . 

What honest parent, who looks within themselves, doesn't see God's desire for the lost in their baby's eyes.  Who doesn't sense a deep awareness of the need to nurture "a little one" toward Christ.

A parent recieves wonderful blessings to know that they can glimpse what it means to love one who has a will to choose.  They receive blessings when they live for Christ.  They receive blessings when they realize that they can't do it (parent) without the assistance of God.

What a blessing a child is when they, by their nature, teach us to rely on God.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

I read an article on "Fox News" website about a Christian "pastor" who refused to recant his belief in Christ.  According to the laws of his land, he must be put to death.  Evidently, they (the Iranian court system) said that since his ancestors were Muslim then he must take on the Muslim faith or die.  Evidently, the death penalty will be carried out today.

Pray for him and his family to have the courage to continue to stand for the name of Christ

I just wanted to thank everyone who enjoys reading my articles.  I enjoy writing them.  Yet, more importantly, I hope God uses them to benefit His kingdom through you.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

I spent the most of the last half of last week, in the hospital, with a friend.  It reminded me how couped up a person may feel when sick for an extended period of time. 

Spiritually, there are many sick people who are also couped up.  They are couped up by the penalty of sin - without Christ - the Great Physician.

If there is a moment to seek spiritual healing it is now.  Turn to God's face, seek His word, and recieve the blessings of healing that can only be found through Jesus.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

It's a tough world for people - even children.  I talk about the tough world in a new article entitle "Plans A, B, C, or God's Plan".  If you let your kids read these articles, I suggest that you read this one with them and guide them through some of these tough concepts.

Remember, be the Lord's humbled when looking for a plan to live by.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Zig Ziglar, in his work, 5 Keys to  Igniting Motivation and Success, talks briefly about why so few Jewish men are in prison.

He states that Jewish fathers do three things with their boys.  Everyday they tell them that they love them by:

            1.  telling them "bless you"
            2.  telling them "I love you"
            3.  give their boys a big hug (sometimes a big kiss)

The work of Jewish fathers is extremely dramatic.  Zig talks about a prison minister in Florida named Billy Glass.  Billy mentioned of the 40,000 men in prison only 13 were Jewish.  Not 13000 or 1300 but a real 13.

One of the things that Billy found out among prisoners is that they hate their fathers. 

The fact is, dad's you have a stong impact on the future of your children.  Please take your role seriously and be humble before God.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

I love my family and I've been enjoying the summer.  But yesterday was special.  It was a day of worship.

We worshiped at our in-laws house and talked about various scriptural passages; i.e., John 17:20-21; Matthew 28:18-20.  I like to use deductive reasoning when teaching and it is wonderful to see how young children are able to reach proper conclusions in Scripture. 

They realized that God has a relationship with Jesus.
They realized that God and Jesus want a relationship with people.
They realized that the teachings of the apostles are important.
They realized that to be ONE with God and Jesus then it is important to follow the word of God; i.e., the apostle't teachings.
They realized that being ONE with God is to be united with Him.
Wow, if children can see that - who are humble by nature - then all people should.  Sadly, not everyone is humble enough to give in to their personal selfishness and follow the teachings of Christ.

Are you humble before God?
The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Marriage is definately a blessing from God.  Please read my next article entitled Covenant of Marriage.  God bless.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Soon, I plan on posting a Covanent of Marriage article.  Perhaps there are those out there who may want to research what it means for a couple to be married as GOD sees it.  I am truly humbled by God's design.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

A friend lost a child, of nine years old, in a hunting accident.  There is nothing I could say . . . .   For those who truly believe in Christ, please pray that God strengthen this family as they continue on in their grief. 

Please be humble before God as you cry with those who cry.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves