3 John 1 : 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
When it comes to mind that many of the children who grew up in Jesus Tabernacle of Deliverance have gone on to college I become extremely happy. When they return home (for holidays and school breaks) they come to church and pay us a visit; I become overjoyed in my heart and spirit. It gives me great joy just to know that the principles they learned at home and in church have gone on imbedded in their minds and spirits.
This helps me to understand the heart of God. When we as His children go through trials, challenges and situations, remembering to give Him the praise, it must cause God to smile. He is able to see that no matter what we go through we still love and appreciate Him for being who he is to us individually.
If I may use a parable, let's look at a rose and the season of a rose from winter to summer. In the snowy, winter months if you were to pass by a rose bush you'll only see the bush seemingly no sign of life. As the weather begins to warm up we will notice leaves, next the green bud, a little petal of a rose and finally the full grown rose.
I chose a rose first of all because it is delicate and dainty but yet so powerful and prickly. How could something so beautiful cause so much pain when it is handled inappropriately? Let us now turn back to the parable of the seasons of the rose.
When a person first accepts Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior they are like the barren tree in the snowy, winter months. They have no substance and are easily broken apart if they are allowed to develop the wrong types of relationships. It is during this time when special care must be given to a newborn babe in Christ.
As the spring approaches we begin to see some form of life. As the newborn babe in Christ takes time to develop positive, Christian relationships, study the Word of God (Bible), develop a personal time of prayer, praise and worship of our Heavenly Father and actively engage in obeying our Heavenly Father we begin to see new and positive developments in their lives.
As they continue on the right road and they go through trials, challenges and situations they become stronger, more powerful and wiser in the things of God. It is at this point that as the Bible says they become as wise as serpents but as harmless as doves. When facing attacks from the enemy they are able to reach back into their spiritual arsenal and destroy the works of the devil not only in their lives but in the lives of others. This is done through prayer and a dedicated life in Christ. Just as Jesus destroyed the works of the devil, at this point the child of God is able to do likewise.
Just as the rose emits a sweet smell to us when it is in full bloom, the actively obedient child of God emits a sweet smelling fragrance unto him.
It's similiar to hanging freshly washed clothing outside in the summer sun. When we bring those clothing into the house, they omit such a wonderful aroma. Just the way the clothing emit a wonderful fragrance to us, our praise and obedience emits a wonderful fragrance to our Heavenly Father. Isn't it worth it to obey God and become as a sweet smelling sacrifice emitting a wonderful aroma unto him?
Finally, in returning to the above scripture 3 John 1 : 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. I must say a final word. This scripture says that my children walk in truth. Some may say what is the truth? To answer this question one must simply turn to John 14 : 6. This passage of scripture spoken by Jesus simply says "I am the way, and the truth and the life. So in order to walk in truth one must walk in the newness of life in Christ Jesus. Romans 6 : 4
Pastor Elaine Billy
Lord Father God in the Mighty and Matchless Name of Jesus we come before you in total praise and adoration. Jesus you alone are worthy of all the praise. We thank you for having the opportunity daily to walk in the newness of life that our lives become more and more a sweet smelling sacrifice unto you. Lord we desire above all else that our lives be used for your glory. We ask now that your children whom you have directed to this website would be blessed and inspired by every word that has been placed on every page. We ask Father that as they grow in grace through faith you would use them mightly upon this earth. Father, I thank you no for not only hearing but answering this prayer for our benefit but yet for yuor glory in Jesus name I pray Amen.
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