“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.”

 Luke 8:5

“Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

 Luke 8:12

 The first type of heart the Lord shows is the one that listens to the devil. For how would the wicked one take the Word out of one’s heart, otherwise? The Lord even states (“…lest they should believe…”)

 No doubt, to be much as the science community. For it says, “Show me facts, my boy, show me facts.” Not being mixed with faith. (“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Heb. 4:20 Wicked fowls of the air: gainsayers and naysayers.

 Also to note, (“…by the way side;…”) These could be likened to those that are not your ordinary folk. May dwell in some dark practice, or New Age, or the Occult, or the intellectual, or the religious crowd, the wise of this world, etc. (“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” I Cor. 1:27) Beware of these my friend, for they seek only to cast thy soul down into destruction.

 We ought to beware of the games that we play on computers. Many do not profit and appeal to the flesh, not giving glory to our Saviour.

 These would be the one’s also, that make light or ridicule the Word of God (KJVB), to cast it down and cause one to dismiss it as nonsense. (“…and it was trodden down…”) These are they which taint or corrupt the Word and seek to destroy it. The devil and his henchmen. Even religious heads whom they have declared at their First Vatican Council of 1869-70 to be infallible. Thus, teaching he is unable to give or direct any false doctrine or judgement. Wicked! (“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” II Cor. 11:13-15) Also, these be false teachers and wolves not sparing the flock that bring in false doctrine and damnable heresies. (“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” II Peter 2:1) (Acts 20:29; II Cor. 2:1 7) (“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Heb. 10:29)

 God has given us His Word: (II Tim. 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”) Do not take man’s word as if it is God’s. Man’s heart is corrupt and deceitful. (“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jer. 17:9) Believe and Trust only in the written Word of God which He has persevered and given us in the King James Version Bible (KJVB). (See: Devotional Study Feb. 15)

 My friend, do not listen to the devil or his crowd. Fear God, and repent, believe the written Word, be saved today.

“A sower went out to sow his seed…”

Luke 8:5a

 The Lord gives us here a parable by which all would be very wise to fear and heed thereby. As to all scripture: the Word of the LORD God ought to be feared and obeyed. (“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” Prov. 13:13) (See: II Tim. 3:16-17)

 In this parable the Lord gives us principles of warning which all must fear and obey too the changing and repenting of one’s own self. For these principles given are the descriptions of man’s own heart condition and his behavioral responses when they hear the Word of God taught or preached. God the Father, the Sower, in giving the Lamb of God His Son Jesus Christ: whom is the Word of God; which is, which was, which is to come, and which is forevermore alive and the living ONE; the seed sown upon the world of men. (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1) Yes Amen.

(“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps. 119:11) Our heart’s desire and response ought to be of repentance, fear of the Lord, humility, and contrition. In seeking the Lord that we, our faith may be found of Him unashamed, confident, and blameless to His praise and glory. (“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” I Peter 1:7)

 Lord willing, let us for the next few devotionals examine each of these behavioral responses of men which reflects a heart condition in necessity of the Word of God.

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Galatians 6:14

Go Warriors, Go Cougs, Go Wildcats, Go Blue, Ovation after Ovation, Screaming and Clapping that is so loud it could burst ear drums, etc. on and on it goes. Actions of joyful glee beyond hysterical madness. People will become as it seems out of their minds when their team scores or when their child’s performance goes to the next level, or to Hollywood.

 Yet when it comes to listening or hearing the Word of God taught or preached, it is no more than five minutes people start looking at the clock or yawning. Notice what God says in (II Peter 3:1-2 “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:”) It is the Word of God we ought to be more mindful of and give the more earnest heed for they are not temporal or vain as sports and entertainment shows, etc. (“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Heb. 2:1) If we do not listen, hear, and heed (obey) God’s Word it will prove to be our destruction and determent.

 In many churches even when the Cross of Christ or the Blood of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ is taught or preached: you do not hear an Amen shouted out but rather someone snoring. Wicked! Oh, how indifferent, insensitive, numb, and apathetic hearts have become in this lukewarm and Laodicean church age of today. (“And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 17:12-19) Only one out of the ten was so amazed and thankful for such a wonderful miracle wrought upon him that he fell down before the Lord giving praise, thankfulness, and glory to our mighty God and Saviour.

 What or Whom doest thou glory in? What or Who thrills thy soul? (Who can cheer the heart like Je-sus, By His pres-ence all di-vine? True and tender, pure and pre-cious, O how blest to call Him mine! Refrain: All that thrills my soul is Je-sus; He is more than life to me. (Bass: to me;) And the fair-est of ten-thousand, In my bless-ed Lord I see.  Thoro Harris, 1917) To Whom doest thou give thy glory and praise? Is it found in the thing which most of thy time is spent? Oh, how it ought to be in our Saviour and our loving Lord Jesus.

 My friends, we ought to have hearts and minds whereby we continually offer up glory, praise, and thankfulness to our wonderful and benevolent Saviour Jesus Christ. (“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Col. 3:16)

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

I Corinthians 2:2

Oh, the foolishness of the wisdom of men. So many speeches, so many lectures, so many philosophies, so many books, and of man’s wisdom. To what avail shall they profit? (“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36) Man with his finite mind, lifted up in his own vanity of mind; foolishness in the eyes of God. (“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” I Cor. 1:27)

 Let us not waste away our time and lives with such temporal and insignificant subjects of vanity of this world. Remember (Col. 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”) (See: I John 2:15-17) This world will be dissolved with all its vanities and works. (See: II Peter 3:11)

 The Lord Jesus Christ ought to be our mindset and heart strings. (Main verse above:) (“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” I Cor. 2:2) To tell others of His marvelous grace, His wonderful love, and power to save: through Him, crucified for us. (“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” I Cor. 1:18) Yes indeed, Amen!

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

 Interestingly, man continually tries and tries repeatedly to find something or someone to fulfil the void and longing in their heart and soul. Even from the time of Adam and Eve with their aprons of fig leaves to this modern day where some have over 700 so called gods (Hinduism). Why does man come up with these so-called fixes and self-help? It is because man is a sick being, on the road to destruction, because of one thing, sin. (“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Is. 53:6) Man looks for a remedy. Jesus Christ is the great Physician, He has been made the remedy and cure for our sin. (II Cor. 5:21)

 God our Creator, Christ Jesus has placed in man the knowledge of Him. (“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.” Rom. 1:19) (Roms. 2:15) Drawing and calling all to come unto Him to find that true rest for their souls. (“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30) Wilt thou seek the Lord while He may be found and while He is near? (“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” Is. 55:6)

 Are you today walking with no direction, on a dark and deary path, with no hope to be found? The answer is not in thyself: (humanism, man’s intellect, money, careers, self-help lessons, or even thy prideful self-righteous ways, etc.) or in this unstable world and its manmade religions (Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Catholicism, New Age, Occult, etc.) The answer is, the Lord Jesus Christ. (“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29)

 The meek and lowly Saviour calls ye to come off that dark and deary path and to come unto Him, to receive Him, the Light of the World. (“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12) (“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12) Repent (tell God you are a sinner) Believe, placing faith in Jesus Christ alone. Pray, calling upon the Lord, today. (Rom. 10:9-13;) The Philippian jailercame to realize his lost, sinful condition and came trembling to Paul and Silas. (Acts 16:30-31 “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.) None other name, my friend. Jesus Christ is All.  Amen.

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”

Isaiah 29:13

 The condition of God’s people Israel had become a farce, lukewarm, lip service only to the mighty God (Ez. 33:31), which had delivered them out of Egypt and the hand of their many enemies. Pretty much the same as today’s lukewarm, Laodicean church age we live in today. (Rev. 3:14-22)

 People do not even attend church today as in years past. There is no true fear of God before their eyes. (Rom. 3:18) Some that do attend church today go when they feel like it, or go for a self-serving purpose, or just for show. Some go to a church that is not Bible (KJVB) believing or doctrinally correct. This writer believes you can put churches into either of two groups: (1) The way of salvation is taught by God’s Grace Alone or (2) The way of salvation is by Man’s Works (Communion, Baptisms, Discipling, A Follower, Church work, Money, etc.) Salvation is a free gift (Eph. 2:8-9), by His grace through faith in His Son. Christ Jesus paid it all for us! Amen! Christ said, (“…It Is Finished…”) on Calvary. (Thank you, Dear Lord) (Rom. 3:23-26 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”) (Also see: Acts 20:21)

 It begins with a true fear of the Lord in the heart. (“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Prov. 9:10) Realizing you are hell bound, (“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt. 10:28,) and you are in trouble with the mighty God. You must repent (change of mind), (“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30); believe on Christ Jesus alone (“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47); calling upon the Lord to cleanse and save you. (“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13) Be saved today before eternity comes for thee.

 Yet today there are very few which will truly fear God and heed. The fear of God taught today is according to whatever man says it is, such as: It is just a reverential and respectful trust of the Lord. Balderdash. Or, the fear of the Lord is just that He allows wrong doing and sin to go on and take its course (plays patty cake with, easy going) (not someone that is over you with His smiting hand). Wicked! (“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.” Prov. 16:6) True fear of the LORD is life changing! (“So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.” Ps. 58:11)

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Matthew 28:19

For one to deny the existence of our Almighty Triune God is to deny even one’s own being. For in (Gen. 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:”) Even as it is written in (I Thess. 5:23 “ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”) Man, a tri-part being created (Gen. 1:27) by and in the image of our wonderful and merciful Triune God declared in our above main verse. (“…in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”) Amen.

 Christ instructs us to address our prayers and give honor to God our Father. (“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Matt. 6:9) Christ himself prayed to God the Father. (John 17:1 “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”) God the Father speaks concerning His Son Christ Jesus in (Matt. 17:5 “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”) Numerous places in the Holy Scriptures God the Father is seen. (Matt. 11:25; John 4:21-23; John 8:42; I Thess. 3:11)

 The Apostle Paul in (Eph. 3:14 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”) The apostle James, (“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17) The Apostle Peter, (“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” I Peter 1:3) The Apostle John, the beloved: (“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” I John 3:1) Many passages in reference and many witnesses to God the Father, the first Persons of the Godhead.

 The Lord Jesus Christ declared to be the Son of God. (Rom. 1:4-5 “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”) Yes, indeed, Amen! David in (Ps. 2:7 “I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”) Apostle Peter declares in (Matt. 16:16 “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”) Yes!God sending forth His only begotten Son Jesus Christ that man would look in faith to Him and be saved. (“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17) (“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36) There is a warning also, (“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” I John 2:22-23)

 It is interesting to note that scientists have found that at the moment of conception there is a flash of light. This writer believes it is our Almighty God the Son, for life is in Him and He is the giver of life. (“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John1:4) (John 14:6) Life is Christ Jesus, the light of the world, and life eternal only in Him. (I Tim. 3:16; Luke 10:22; John 1:18; John 14:6; John 3:16; John 8:42; I Cor. 1:9; II Cor. 1:19; Gal.1:16; Heb. 10:29; I John 3:8; Rev. 2:18) Many passages acknowledging our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second Persons of the Godhead.

 The Divine Holy Spirit is seen from the beginning. (“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Gen. 1:2)

 Even interesting the king of Egypt, Pharaoh, acknowledges the Spirit of the LORD. (“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” Gen. 41:38) There is none that is able to outwit or outsmart the Spirit of God. (“Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” Is. 40:13) The immaculate conception of Christ. (“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” Matt. 1:18) The Divine Holy Spirit came upon and God’s power overshadowed the woman, Mary. The immaculate conception. Amen. Be saved in God’s gift of His Son Jesus Christ by His marvelous grace through faith in Him, receiving the baptism of His Divine Holy Spirit. (“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” I Cor. 12:13) Receive the comfort that God the Holy Ghost can only provide. (“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” John 15:26) (John 14:16-17; Mk. 12:36; Is. 61:1; John 20:22; Acts 2:33; Acts 7:51; Acts 5:3; Rom. 5:5; Roms. 8:14; I Cor. 3:16; Gal.4:6; I Peter 3:18) Many passages given in reference to the Divine Holy Spirit, the third persons of the Godhead.

 Proving the evidence of the three Divine Persons of the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ, God the Divine Holy Spirit. Three Persons, yet One God, The Divine Holy Trinity. (“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Rom.1:20) All three Persons of Godhead dwelling in Christ Jesus the Son. (“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Col. 2:9) (John14:9; John 10:30; Is. 9:6; Is.53; Luke 4:18; Gen.1:26; Gen. 3:22; Matt. 12:28; Luke 3:22; II Cor. 13:14; I Tim.2:3-6; I Tim. 3:16; Heb.9:14) Many passages referencing and proving the existence of our Almighty God in Three Persons, the Divine and Holy Trinity, the Godhead. (“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” I John 5:6-7) Yes, Amen!

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”

John 8:31

A test of one’s faith may come in the form of trials, sickness, financial upheaval, or even a calling from the Lord. Yet, the real test of our faith is our faithfulness to His Word. All of the above fore-mentioned plays a part in this test, whether we may be spot on in one area of His Word and just so so in another. We ought to endeavor to keep the whole Word of God. (“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” Ps. 119:2)

 This brings me to an issue of Bible versions, as a side note. If one has been clearly shown how the King James Version Bible of 1611 holds up the Deity of Christ (I Tim. 3:16), His precious blood shed for us on Calvary (Col. 1:14), to believe on Him for eternal life (John 6:47), not by works salvation (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6), etc., and that person wishes to remain with erroneous versions. It very well may call in question his relationship and position with the Lord. For how one can truly be saved and wish to stay with a book which disgraces our Blessed Saviour, by having over 36,000 changes, (deletions or additions to the KJVB), and come from corrupt manuscripts. For one example: (Col.1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”) Yet, in the (NIV) and many other corrupt versions it reads in: Col. 1:14 “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” They have taken out (“…through his blood,…”) Considering the highly importance of the precious blood of our Blessed Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, the blood should never ever, ever be omitted in His Word. (See Feb. 15 Devotional) (“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” II Cor. 13:5)

 For one to be faithful to Christ’s Word is to adhere to His teachings, rely upon His promises, and obey His commands. Submitting ourselves to God, resisting the devil, the world, and our wicked flesh. Attention to the calling of the Spirit and the leading of His Word. If one’s whole life and conversation is none other than self and this world and the things of it, one would call in question his standing with the Lord. Apple trees bear apples, peach trees peaches, etc. Our lives ought to be fully in Christ and our conversation from above. (“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;” I Peter 1:15) (Also see: I Peter 2:12)

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”

I Samuel 30:6

There are times of deep sadness, depression, discouragement, or distress, etc. It may be said: What is the use; why keep going; people don’t care; besides they think you’re yesterday’s toast; all washed up; you can’t do anything right; you do it this way or else; you know they all think you’re a nut; on and on it goes. Even David a great man of God, a man after God’s own heart (I Sam. 13:14), was inflicted with such impairments. In the end David remembered the tender mercies, compassion, and strength which the Lord affords and maintains. (“…David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”) (“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Ps. 31:24)

 The Apostle Paul even would have periods of discouragement. (“Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;” II Cor. 7:6) (Acts 28:15) Other brethren which God provides can be a source of rejoicing or depression. Depending upon their spiritual temperature. This is why we ought to be in right fellowship with the Lord. So, that we may be an encouragement to those cast down. For none of us liveth or dieth to himself. (Rom. 14:7)

 Yet, nevertheless take faith and courage. Even when no one is there for you. Remember the LORD our God who will comfort those that are cast down and promises, (“…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5) (“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Matt. 14:27)

       Remember to get into His Word for His promises given; Lean upon the Saviour for the comfort of His Spirit; and Pray earnestly for that renewed vision and strength. (“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  Ps. 27:1)

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

Psalm 127:3

Though at times children seem more of a burden than a blessing, they are given to us from the Lord. For they are the Lord’s inheritance and His just reward given to us. Throughout the Word of God (KJVB) it is shown that God is the one who opens or closes the womb in rewarding children. Notice (Gen. 29:31 “And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.”) Jacob knew who was in control in the providing of children. (Gen. 30:2 “And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?”)

 In years past it was a place of honor to have many children around the table. (“As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Ps. 127:4-5) Even today there are countries concerned over the drop in child births. The detrimental effect it has and will have on society.

 Today people are self-indulgent and only care for the pleasures they can provide for themselves. If a child (pregrancy) happens, well we can just abort. Wicked! How many children would have been men of God, have people murdered? David declares, (“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Ps. 139:13-14) God rewarded the parents of Jermiah with a son that would be a prophet and serve God’s people Israel. (“Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jer. 1:3-4) What if those parents had the attitude of the wicked of today?

 Some attitudes are children would wreck my social life, or we cannot afford them. (“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”Rom. 1:17) It is only by the mercy, goodness, and providential care of our mighty God and Lord Jesus Christ we even live and breathe. How much more shall He be able to care for His own? Be not faithless but believing. The Lord gave my wife and I seven children. Amen.

 Once children arrive from the Lord, God excepts parents to raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Eph. 6:4) This means training, (“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6) Training a child does not mean they are to watch you and learn; however, the child, if able, performs the task and the parent teaches them while they do it. This I believe is training. Now to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord also means discipline, (“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” Prov. 23:13-14) (Prov. 22:15) This does not mean child abuse in injuries to a child, that is wrong and wicked. Yet spanking correctly is not wrong in this writer’s opinion. I personally know. Ouch.

 Another rule is to take your children to a Bible (KJVB) believing church. In not doing so is child abuse, for you are not raising them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. David declares, (“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Ps.122:1) Learning God’s Word goes hand in hand with church attendance, (“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps. 119:9-11) Teaching children to memorize and obey God’s Word is paramount in child development.

 There are many other lessons that could be said on this subject. We have just covered a few. Yet remember if you will live by faith in our mighty God and strive to raise thy children, the heritage of the Lord, in His nurture and admonition, thy children shall become a joy and rejoicing of thy heart. (“My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.” Prov. 23:15) (Prov. 10:1,5; 13:1; 15:20; 27:11; 28:7; 23:24) Sadly, even though, the devil and the world never sleep and often pull our children away.  Be strong, pray, pray, pray, believe.  In time God will answer, just pray children will hear, heed, and obey.