The Desire of Ages--56--Blessing the Children

[Beacon]

"Ask the gardener by what process he makes every branch and leaf to flourish so beautifully, and to develop in symmetry and loveliness. He will tell you that it was by no rude touch, no violent effort; for this would only break the delicate stems..

It was by little attentions, often repeated. He moistened the soil, and protected the growing plants from the fierce blasts and from the scorching sun, and God caused them to flourish and to blossom into loveliness.  By gentle touches, by loving ministrations, seek to fashion their characters after the pattern of the character of Christ."

Jesus gave clear instruction to His disciples about the potential  "Real Value" of children, and the early training thereof, when He said in Mark 10:13-15

"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!

 "The Saviour regards with infinite tenderness the souls whom He has purchased with His own blood. They are the claim of His love. He looks upon them with unutterable longing. His heart is drawn out, not only to the best-behaved children, but to those who have by inheritance objectionable traits of character. Many parents do not understand how much they are responsible for these traits in their children. They have not the tenderness and wisdom to deal with the erring ones whom they have made what they are. But Jesus looks upon these children with pity. He traces from cause to effect." {The Desire of Ages, page 517, paragraph 5}

Let us see the value of each person the way Jesus sees them, and treat all with the love and compassion so the Holy Spirit may reach the heart. All of God's children--regardless of our age--may come to Christ and admit that we have fallen short of God's glory by sin (Romans 3:23); we may believe in the gift of our Father in heaven who so loved us to save us by sending His Son Jesus to save us (John 3:16); and then we may freely confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). As we accept the gift of salvation, a new heart imbued with the Holy Spirit is given to us (Ezekiel 36:26-27), and the mind of Christ is the gift of this new experience (Philippians 2:5) as we accept God's promises and become partakers of the "divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4), which is ever manifest in the life with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing (Galatians 5:22-23). Then we gladly obey God because we love Him (John 14:15) and by the faith of Jesus keep all of the Ten Commandments (Revelation 14:12) as Christ lives in us, "the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

[Richard Myers]

Amen Pastor Sean and Brother Beacon!   We love Jesus because He first loved us. We love our neighbor because we have been converted and now live to bless others. How do we do this? Brother Beacon has discovered a most important truth regarding sharing with others what Jesus has shared with us.

It was by little attentions, often repeated. He moistened the soil, and protected the growing plants from the fierce blasts and from the scorching sun, and God caused them to flourish and to blossom into loveliness.  By gentle touches, by loving ministrations, seek to fashion their characters after the pattern of the character of Christ."

Amen!!

[Dorine]

"The Saviour regards with infinite tenderness the souls whom He has purchased with His own blood. They are the claim of His love. He looks upon them with unutterable longing. His heart is drawn out, not only to the best-behaved children, but to those who have by inheritance objectionable traits of character. Many parents do not understand how much they are responsible for these traits in their children. They have not the tenderness and wisdom to deal with the erring ones whom they have made what they are. But Jesus looks upon these children with pity. He traces from cause to effect.      

The Christian worker may be Christ's agent in drawing these children to the Saviour. By wisdom and tact he may bind them to his heart, he may give them courage and hope, and through the grace of Christ may see them transformed in character, so that of them it may be said, "Of such is the kingdom of God."

I love how inspiration describes the Saviour's deep love and yearning for His little ones. His heart goes out to those who do not have the example in their lives that would draw them to Jesus. May we ever be perceptive to the influence we have upon their impressions of Jesus.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Happy Sabbath! As you accept Jesus into your heart, may you let the Holy Spirit reflect His love, joy and peace along with all of the fruits of the Spirit through your life to the children of God around you who need Christ in their hearts, too! 

"As you win their confidence in you as followers of Christ, it will be easy to teach them of the great love wherewith He has loved us. As you try to make plain the truths of salvation, and point the children to Christ as a personal Saviour, angels will be by your side. The Lord will give to fathers and mothers grace to interest their little ones in the precious story of the Babe of Bethlehem, who is indeed the hope of the world." {The Desire of Ages, page 517, paragraph 1} 

Whatever our age, everyone begins life through childhood. Let us cultivate the happy trust in Jesus that is best cultivated early in life, even from babyhood! May you be like Jesus to everyone you meet--especially children!!

[Richard Myers]

Amen Pastor Sean. Jesus loves us as He loves the little ones. Such precious promises for mothers and fathers! What are the conditions to receiving these promises for your children?

    Let mothers come to Jesus with their perplexities. They will find grace sufficient to aid them in the management of their children. The gates are open for every mother who would lay her burdens at the Saviour's feet. He who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not," still invites the mothers to lead up their little ones to be blessed by Him. Even the babe in its mother's arms may dwell as under the shadow of the Almighty through the faith of the praying mother. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth. If we will live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mold our little ones, even from their earliest moments. 

[Dorine]

  Teach the children to see Christ in nature. Take them out into the open air, under the noble trees, into the garden; and in all the wonderful works of creation teach them to see an expression of His love. Teach them that He made the laws which govern all living things, that He has made laws for us, and that these laws are for our happiness and joy. Do not weary them with long prayers and tedious exhortations, but through nature's object lessons teach them obedience to the law of God.  {DA 516.3}

My heart goes out to the children in the city who have never had the opportunity to explore and experience God's world of nature. It has such a calming peaceful effect on the children. It teaches them love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith and temperance as they observe and are taught how nature is obedient to God's laws. Even city backyards can be teaming with nature where parents can teach the children of God's creation and love for them. Having a small garden and pond with flowers, shrubs, and vegetables will draw the butterflies, lady bugs, dragon flies etc. and birds, frogs and tadpoles. Children love to dig in the dirt where millions of little critters live like ants, caterpillars, worms, snakes, toads etc. but parents must be in tune with God and nature themselves to be able to take advantage of the simple things that surround us all and to teach them how all of nature works together for the good of each other. There are many adults that would benefit by slowing down and taking time to appreciate the wonders of nature and God's great love.

[Richard Myers]

Amen Sister Dorine. So many object lessons also in the garden!!

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Let us be loving and lovable Christians!

"Encourage the expression of love toward God and toward one another. The reason why there are so many hardhearted men and women in the world is that true affection has been regarded as weakness, and has been discouraged and repressed. The better nature of these persons was stifled in childhood; and unless the light of divine love shall melt away their cold selfishness, their happiness will be forever ruined. If we wish our children to possess the tender spirit of Jesus, and the sympathy that angels manifest for us, we must encourage the generous, loving impulses of childhood." {The Desire of Ages, page 516, paragraph 2}

When we invite Jesus into the heart to cleanse us from all our sins by His blood and believe that God loves us, the Holy Spirit comes into the heart to fill us with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, and not one of the fruits of the Spirit will be missing in our lives as long as Jesus has full possession of the heart and we walk in the light of the law of His love as He is in the light! May this be your experience continually!

[Dorine]

"As the mother teaches her children to obey her because they love her, she is teaching them the first lessons in the Christian life. The mother's love represents to the child the love of Christ, and the little ones who trust and obey their mother are learning to trust and obey the Saviour."   

My parents were not perfect but I knew they loved me and I didn't want to disappoint them. I knew they loved Jesus and I wanted to know Him too and be like Him. Their example helped me when raising my own. It's such a joy to raise our children for Jesus. Instead of scolding, parents need to spend more time praying and let the Holy Spirit change their little one's hearts. To have a child come to you on their own and say, "I'm sorry mommy" is a most tender moment. A miracle has just happened. No amount of scolding has the power to soften a child's heart. God longs to have parents come to Him with their concerns for their children. He will never turn away a parents prayer for help.

[Philip T]

  The Saviour regards with infinite tenderness the souls whom He has purchased with His own blood. They are the claim of His love. He looks upon them with unutterable longing. His heart is drawn out, not only to the best-behaved children, but to those who have by inheritance objectionable traits of character. Many parents do not understand how much they are responsible for these traits in their children. They have not the tenderness and wisdom to deal with the erring ones whom they have made what they are. But Jesus looks upon these children with pity. He traces from cause to effect.
     The Christian worker may be Christ's agent in drawing these children to the Saviour. By wisdom and tact he may bind them to his heart, he may give them courage and hope, and through the grace of Christ may see them transformed in character, so that of them it may be said, "Of such is the kingdom of God."

This touched me as so many young people seem to leave the church to walk in this world, we are here given the job of reaching out to them, letting them see the love of God through us as we radiate Gods love to us, or as the moon reflects the suns light to earth. When a young one leaves the church or God, we need to continue to keep in touch with them and work with them. We are to be the ones the Holy Spirit works through to reclaim God's lost and heave will rejoice as they return to God's love and are transformed.

[Beacon]

 
"Ask the gardener by what process he makes every branch and leaf to flourish so beautifully, and to develop in symmetry and loveliness. He will tell you that it was by no rude touch, no violent effort; for this would only break the delicate stems..

"It was by little attentions, often repeated. He moistened the soil, and protected the growing plants from the fierce blasts and from the scorching sun, and God caused them to flourish and to blossom into loveliness.  By gentle touches, by loving ministrations, seek to fashion their characters after the pattern of the character of Christ."

Jesus gave clear instruction to His disciples about the potential  "Real Value" of children, and the early training thereof, when He said in...

Mark 10:13-15 "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you,..

"Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."

Are we treating our children in such a manner as to cause their dispositions and characters to be formed to reflect Jesus?

[Dorine]

"It is still true that children are the most susceptible to the teachings of the gospel; their hearts are open to divine influences, and strong to retain the lessons received. The little children may be Christians, having an experience in accordance with their years. They need to be educated in spiritual things, and parents should give them every advantage, that they may form characters after the similitude of the character of Christ."   

The Lord will give wisdom and strength to parents who believe and practice the counsel given here. It starts with the parents full surrender to God so that their influence will be a godly one. The children will learn very quickly if mom and dad live according to the expectations they have for their children. I know a Pastor and his wife who had a baby later in life born with Down  Syndrome. They raised that little boy no different than they had the older children. It was remarkable what he accomplished. He loved the Lord and knew right from wrong. He was polite and pleasant to be around. Even had a sense of humour.  Jesus loves the mentally challenged children too and has a place in heaven for those that give their little hearts to Him.

[Beacon]

"Encourage the expression of love toward God and toward one another. The reason why there are so many hardhearted men and women in the world is that true affection has been regarded as weakness, and has been discouraged and repressed. The better nature of these persons was stifled in childhood; and unless the light of divine love shall melt away their cold selfishness, their happiness will be forever ruined."

"If we wish our children to possess the tender spirit of Jesus, and the sympathy that angels manifest for us, we must encourage the generous, loving impulses of childhood."

"Let mothers come to Jesus with their perplexities. They will find grace sufficient to aid them in the management of their children. The gates are open for every mother who would lay her burdens at the Saviour's feet. He who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not," still invites the mothers to lead up their little ones to be blessed by Him.

" Even the babe in its mother's arms may dwell as under the shadow of the Almighty through the faith of the praying mother. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth. If we will live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mold our little ones, even from their earliest moments.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Sister Dorine! What a testimony of loving parents to guide a child to love Jesus, no matter what challenges the child may have! Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon, for this emphasis on how we can invite children to come to Jesus!

Let us be loving and lovable Christians. As we look to Jesus who saves us from our sins and fills us with the Holy Spirit so His consistent love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control flow through our lives, we can gladly go forth to bless others with kind words and acts as children of our Heavenly Father!

"Encourage the expression of love toward God and toward one another. The reason why there are so many hardhearted men and women in the world is that true affection has been regarded as weakness, and has been discouraged and repressed. The better nature of these persons was stifled in childhood; and unless the light of divine love shall melt away their cold selfishness, their happiness will be forever ruined. If we wish our children to possess the tender spirit of Jesus, and the sympathy that angels manifest for us, we must encourage the generous, loving impulses of childhood." {The Desire of Ages, page 516, paragraph 2}   

The most childlike disciple is most efficient in labor for God. As we realize the love God has for us manifested in Christ who came from heaven to die for us and rose from the grave to prepare a place for us in heaven, it will stir the soul like nothing else can and constrain us to go forth to bless others even as Jesus did, for He lives in every fully surrendered soul! "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear family!! We ought to be spending more time with children who will better understand God's love!

[Beacon]

" He who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not," still invites the mothers to lead up their little ones to be blessed by Him. Even the babe in its mother's arms may dwell as under the shadow of the Almighty through the faith of the praying mother.

"If we will live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mold our little ones, even from their earliest moments."

"As you win their confidence in you as followers of Christ, it will be easy to teach them of the great love wherewith He has loved us. As you try to make plain the truths of salvation, and point the children to Christ as a personal Saviour, angels will be by your side."

"The Lord will give to fathers and mothers grace to interest their little ones in the precious story of the Babe of Bethlehem, who is indeed the hope of the world."

What an awesome privilege and responsibility is that of parenthood. The task may seem very daunting, but the Bible says in..

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

[Philip T]

  The Christian worker may be Christ's agent in drawing these children to the Saviour. By wisdom and tact he may bind them to his heart, he may give them courage and hope, and through the grace of Christ may see them transformed in character, so that of them it may be said, "Of such is the kingdom of God."

The Cristian worker, the church family, is also to be involved in helping parents raise their children, we need to be kind and loving to children as well when we come in contact with them, that they may see Christ through us as well.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon and Brother Philip!

God loves children and grows us into His image of loveliness! The love of Christ constrains us to be loving and lovable Christians!

Encourage the expression of love toward God and toward one another. The reason why there are so many hardhearted men and women in the world is that true affection has been regarded as weakness, and has been discouraged and repressed. The better nature of these persons was stifled in childhood; and unless the light of divine love shall melt away their cold selfishness, their happiness will be forever ruined. If we wish our children to possess the tender spirit of Jesus, and the sympathy that angels manifest for us, we must encourage the generous, loving impulses of childhood.

As we experience the depth of His love, we can let that love overflow to others! All of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as we abide in Christ as a living Savior! We can gladly obey the law of God from the heart as we experience the power of the Holy Spirit in us

[Richard Myers]

Amen Pastor Sean! And, when we reflect the Spirit of God others will then know there is a God of love in heaven (Eze. 36:22,23). And as Brother Philip  has shared we may draw the little ones to us and "through the grace of Christ may see them transformed in character." Bother Beacon also understands our privilege:  "If we will live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mold our little ones, even from their earliest moments." This is why God leaves us in this dark spot in the universe, that we might be His witness not only to the old great sinners, but to the little ones also. We continue to be educated to the truth that God transforms the character of man into His character that we might be fit to enter heaven. He does not do it in one fell swoop at the end of time. No, He does it day by day when we see and allow the grace of God into our hearts. And so it is with the little ones also. For them it is often much easier since they are open to God's love much more than hardened old folks.

     In the children who were brought in contact with Him, Jesus saw the men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His sake. He knew that these children would listen to Him and accept Him as their Redeemer far more readily than would grown-up people, many of whom were the worldly-wise and hardhearted. In His teaching He came down to their level. He, the Majesty of heaven, did not disdain to answer their questions, and simplify His important lessons to meet their childish understanding. He planted in their minds the seeds of truth, which in after years would spring up, and bear fruit unto eternal life.
     It is still true that children are the most susceptible to the teachings of the gospel; their hearts are open to divine influences, and strong to retain the lessons received. The little children may be Christians, having an experience in accordance with their years. They need to be educated in spiritual things, and parents should give them every advantage, that they may form characters after the similitude of the character of Christ.