Abundant Grace Mission International: Let Your Children Come -Mark 10: 13

Abundant Grace Mission International: Let Your Children Come -Mark 10: 13: “13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw ...

Let Your Children Come -Mark 10: 13

http://www.abundantgracemin.com/

“13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” 

Some parents were bringing their children to Jesus. Unfortunately, they were met with hindrance-the disciples of Jesus rebuked them. No reason is stated for their action. However we may try to suggest what could have warranted the action of the disciples who rebuked parents bringing their children to Jesus. I doubt if anyone would not be interested seeing his/her children associated with Jesus. 

Though we bring children to Church for dedication but experiences show that not all those children were actually handed over to Jesus. According to Mark, Jesus was responding to questions from the Pharisees with regards to divorce. “Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” v2 when people like that were bringing children to Jesus, the disciples might think they don't worth it. A marriage at the verge of separation may find it near impossible bringing children to Jesus. Parents, please don't allow your pride, selfish ambition, career, pleasure or education rob you of bringing your children to Jesus. Nevertheless, you need to be sure God is not missing in your home. 

May I share this story with you: “Two brothers were always getting into trouble? Whenever something went wrong in the neighborhood, or  in school, they were usually to blame. One day their parents decided to ask their pastor  for help. The pastor  decided he would see them one at a time. He wanted to remind them that, no matter where they were or what they were doing that God was with them and saw them. The pastor met with the first brother. He pointed his finger at him and said, “Where is God?” The boy looked under the desk, in the corners of the room, out of the window, but said nothing. Again, the pastor asked, “Where is God?” The boy panicked and ran out the door and all the way home. Finding his brother he dragged him up to their bedroom and said, “We are in BIG trouble.” The brother asked, “What do you mean BIG trouble?” He stammered and replied, “God is missing and they think we did it.” When God is missing in the family, they will be in big trouble because they will find it difficult to live in peace with one another and their neighbours. Where is God in your family? 

People of God, we need to beware of stopping the children from coming to Jesus Christ. Let me appreciate all of us for our cooperation on our Children Ministry. Especially my appreciation goes to their Ministers. Sometimes, churches handle children ministry so lightly. They place less priority on them. Let us give more attention to our children and provide enabling environment for their spiritual and academic growth. 

Reverend G. S. Adeyemo
http://abundantgracemin.com,

The Power of Choice

I am led to speak to you on a very vital issue this morning: ‘The Power of Choice.’ Yes today being Covenant Sunday which many of us think it is time to talk of money, giving, prosperity, wealth creation or freedom from poverty and many fanciful topics. But God is pleased to lead me in ministering on this subject as mentioned.

I spent much time meditating on the Scripture which says, "If ye be  willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good  of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel,  ye shall be devoured with the sword: for  the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."Isaiah 1:19, 20. I discovered that the Lord gives us the ability to make choices in life. Hence, our destiny can be determined by the choice we make. Someone said, "The choices we make actually define who we are. Choices establish our core values that shape our faith and our actions, and determine how we live. As we are given the gift of each new day, we choose how we will use it."

You cannot just live above the choice you make. The situation of our country depends on the choices you and me made at one time or the other: The choice to vote or not to vote, the choice to collect money and vote in wrong leaders, the choice to loot our treasury and not to safe for raining days. The choice to attend special centers for a result you never worked for. I can continue to go on and on like that. Today, we are faced with the consequences.

The consequences include bad governance, unemployable graduates, poverty, terrorism, insecurity, recession, empty hospitals and high mortality rate. Let me ask you, how do you make your choice daily? The choice you make determines the life you live.

You may choose to serve God and enjoy peace, prosperity and eternal life. Joshua challenged the Israelites while going to the Promised Land,

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."Josh 24:15

Lot made his choice based on sight and faced the consequences in Sodom and Gomorrah. "Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other."Gen 13:11

"I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."Isaiah 66:4

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: Pro 1:29

The choice you make determines the life you live. Even when you think you wont choose anything so that you don't make mistake, it is a choice not to make a choice. That means you chose others to choose for you. You bear the consequence of your choice. God has given each of us the power of choice, but once we have made our choice, we have no power to choose the consequences. Many people in the Bible messed up their lives because of their bad choices. Their stories serve as examples for us. Even Solomon, the wisest ruler who ever lived, chose the false gods of his many wives, strayed from the one true God, and ruined his life.

God gave you a free will to choose. You choose according to your desires. Will your present desires lead to wise choices for the future?

You may choose to serve God or not, but you will bear the consequences. God says, "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."Isaiah 1:19, 20.

I appeal to you today, choose to repent from your wrong doings.

I appeal to you today, choose Jesus as your Lord and Saviour

I appeal to you today, choose to serve the Lord your God