Fathers and mothers have the greatest opportunity as teachers of anyone in the world. You see, that boy or girl in the home has the chance to see if Father and Mother really believe and practice what they teach.

A father who says he believes in Sunday school, and then does not go himself, is teaching by his actions that he really does not feel it very important. A father who teaches love and tolerance to all and yet maintains a critical attitude in the home toward his brothers and sisters in the church is doing a wrong to his children which never in this world can be undone. It is pure poison to the mind of the child, and will most certainly be a stumbling block in the way of the child becoming a Christian.

A father who says he believes the Bible to be the greatest Book, to be God’s Word to us, but leaves it on the shelf to gather dust while he spends hours with the newspaper, magazines, radio and television is in reality saying, “Children, the Bible is not too important. You should read it if you have any extra time.”

Which one of you had not heard a little boy step proudly forward among his playmates and declare, “I KNOW that’s so because my Daddy said so!” He has confidence in you, dear Dad, and the things which he sees you put first in your life are going to stand out as mighty important to him, too.

Is your prayer: “Lord, fit me to be loved and imitated by my children”? (Copied)

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”–Matt. 5:11-12

In December of 1944, 18 members of a reconnaissance platoon held off a battalion of German troops in the Belgian village of Lanzerath. Their brave stand against the onslaught gave the Allied forces time to begin mounting a defense that eventually won the famous Battle of the Bulge.

Will James, one of the 18 platoon members, was severely injured in the battle and went through numerous surgeries as a result. His heroism went mostly unrecognized for almost 40 years until 1981, when he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism.

In life and in faith, heroism can go largely unrewarded for years. Throughout the history of the church, there are countless faithful saints who’ve been obedient, even to the point of death, whose stories aren’t recorded anywhere on earth. But we know one place they’ll never be forgotten is in eternity, where those who’ve been faithful to death will receive their eternal rewards.

The point is this: your faithfulness may never be rewarded in this world. But you can rest assured your faithfulness will be remembered forever in eternity. So don’t look to the world to reward your faith. Await your eternal reward in heaven, which will be far greater!

Pray and ask God to keep you faithful even when it goes unrecognized, knowing that your ultimate reward will be in heaven.(Senior Living)

Why do we love Jesus? While there are numerous factors it all boils down to this one glorious fact—“He first loved us“. He is the cause, the fountain head of all love. A better question is “Why does he love us?” The answer is, “God is love“(1 John 4:8, 16). That is better than anything that could be said about us. God loves us because of who He is–He is love. He needs no special favors from us to make Him love us. He does that in and of himself. We however would never love Him apart from Him. We love Him because His love enables us to do so. It is no wonder the song writer said, “I will sing of His love forever”. His love is proclaimed, proven, personified, personal, powerful, and permanent.It should always be on our mind. Focus on this every moment and you cannot have a bad day. May this be the best day of your life!

“Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.”– Mark 10:44

Over the years I’ve noticed that some people are held at arms length, shut out of the circle, by some church members–as though those folks are in some way inferior. That is a sad indictment against anyone calling themselves a Christian. Since Christ received us we should never reject and disrespect others. The following article by the Baptist Bible Hour says it well:

“Do you want to make a difference in the kingdom of God? Do you desire to be used in a mighty way to the glory of Jesus Christ? Do you have high ambitions for yourself in Christ’s body?

Then don’t settle for holding a significant position or for being especially prominent. Raise your sights even higher — make it your goal to be the chief person in the kingdom of God…and start serving everyone around you.

Jesus told his ambitious, contentious disciples on several occasions the only way to be great in His kingdom. The person that wishes to be great must take on the lowest, self-emptying, others-oriented, servant-spirited position in the church. He or she must become the servant of all.

Is there anyone in the church that you would disdain to serve? Do you still see yourself above certain individuals because of their background, or social status, or financial situation, or educational level, or personal hygiene? Then you are not yet chief in the kingdom of God. You have not yet risen high enough in the service of the Lord. Because you are not yet the servant of all.

Look today for opportunities for promotion in the church of Jesus Christ. Search out the lowliest and become lower still by serving them. There is no person too small, or smelly, or ugly, or sick, or handicapped for you to serve in Christ’s kingdom, if you are spiritually ambitious enough.”

Believe it or not the very worst thing that has ever happened to you can turn out to be the best if that’s what it takes for you to be saved. You can be bankrupt, divorced, incarcerated, or terminally ill and still go to heaven. You can be mistreated, abused, and neglected by others and still be a child of God. Regardless of what you are going through it isn’t as bad as dying without Christ. That’s as bad as it gets. So rather than despising your trials allow them to draw you to Christ. Rather than cursing your suffering consider His. He suffered beyond anything your mind can imagine and died in your stead so that you might be saved. That is proof that he cares for you. Trust Him and he will turn your burden into a blessing.