Apprenticeship Program

Children may close their ears to advice,

but their eyes are always open to example.

Life certainly was a lot simpler years ago. If a man was a carpenter, his son was likely to be the same. That's because the shop was at home and the boy worked with his father. That's because the shop was at home and the boy worked with his father. The son watched carefully as Dad cut the wood, planed and smoothed it, then fastened it together to build a table or a bench. It was appenticeship by example.

Most young people don't learn their trades like that anymore. Vocations are far too complex and the training way too demanding.

One aspect of lif, however, is the same as it was years ago. Children not only learned how to do things from Dad and Mom, they also learned about life. They saw their parents' values and ethics in action every day in their homes.

Christian moms and dads still have "little apprentices" watching how they put their beliefs into practice. It goes on at mealtime, in the car, in the store, in conversation with or about neighbors - all the time. What a wonderful opportunity to teach our children how to live for Christ! And young people not only need it, they want it.

Paul told his children in the faith to imitate him - to follow his example. Are we living for Christ in such a way that we want our children to imitate us? -DCE

Who Is Like Him?

The God of all grace

makes Saints out of the worst of sinners.

I know a young woman who refuses to believe that she can be forgiven of her sins because, as she says, "God wouldn't want someone like me." She recognizes the stain of her immoral conduct, but she doesn't realize the wonder of God's grace!

Actually, no one can fully comprehend God's grace, but like th eprophet Micah we can marvel at it an rejoice. Although he sorrowfully recounted the sins of his people, Micah went on to acknowledge the Lord's goodness. And he expressed confidence in God's promise to forgive and bless His people.

God's people today have even more reason to praise HIm. Micah didn't realize that God's Son would one day become a human being, live in a sinless life, and pay the price for our sins on the cross. He didn't know that Jesus would break the power of death and live in heaven as our Advocate until we join Him there. And MIcah couldn't read Paul's yet unwritten exclamation. "If God is for us, who can't be against us? He who did spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

In the words of Micah, we can say with confidence and adoration, "Who is God like You?" -HVL

The Man Called Jesus

I do not seek My own will,

but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 5:30

The Scripture teaches that even though Jesus did become a man, He never was anything less than God. Yet for a period of thirty-three earthly years He voluntarily gave up the independence exercise of His own rights as God. While on earth He submitted Himself to the Father, so that every word was spoken as God would have Him speak it, and every act was done precisely as God would have Him do it.

Do Not Be Anxious

Do not be anxious, said the Lord,

Have peace from day to day -

The lilies neither toil nor spin,

Yet none are clothed as they.

The meadowlark with seetest song

Fears not for bread or nest

Because he trusts our Father's love

And God knows what is best.

Soil Preparation

Spiritual growth occurs

when faith is cultivated.

A family moved from the fertile farmlands of nirthwestern Ohio to Arizona. Th ewoman wanted the kind of lush, green lawn they had back home, so they went to work on the rocky ground typical of the area.

 Using a pickax, the husband pried the largest rocks from the sun-baked earth. Then, on hands and knees, they sifted out the smaller stones until a layer of topsoil emerged. After planting seeds and watering the ground for several weeks, they had a green lawn.

If we went to plant a lawn or a garden, the soil must first be broken up. Even the most productive land must be turned over and tilled. Otherwise, growth is difficult, if not impossible.

God sometimes prepares the soil of human hearts to receive His Word by a breaking-up process. It may be through a disaster like a hurricane, flood,or fire. Other times it comes through sickness, disappointment, or deep sorrow.

If you have been experiencing trouble or heartache, God may be softening the soil of your life so that the ssed of His Word can grow in you. Don't fight it. Let HIm have His way. Allow Him to produce patience and maturity in your heart. One day you'll thank Him for His soil preparation. -DCE

Be Glad

Be glad that your life has been full and complete,
Be glad that you've tasted the bitter and sweet,
Be glad that you've walked in sunshine and rain,
Be glad that you've felt both pleasure and pain,
Be glad that you've had such a full, happy life,
Be glad for your joy as well as your strife,
Be glad that you've walked with courage each day,
Be glad you've had a strength for each step of the way,
Be glad for the comfort that you've found inprayer,
Be glad for God's blessings, his love, and His care.

A Gift For God

If you paus eto think,

You'll have cause to thank.

Imagine what a heavy schedule of appointments Presidnet Abraham Lincoln had to keep day after day. Yet when an elderly woman with no official business in mind asked to see him, he graciously consented.

As she entered Lincoln's office, he rose to greet her and asked how he might be of service. She replied that she had not come to a sk a favor. She had heard that the President liked a certain kind of cookie, so she had baked some for him and brought them to his office.

With tears in his eyes, Lincoln responded, "You are the very first person who has ever come into my office asking not, expecting not, but rather bringing me a gift. I thank you form the bottom of my heart."

When coming into God's presence, once in a while let's refrain form giving Him a list of requests. Instead, let's simply bring Him the gift of our gratitude and love. We may be sure that nothing pleases our Father more than our sincere thanksgiving.

Why not spend time offering up the sacrifice of praise, meditating on the Lord's mercies, recalling the riches of His grace, and blessing His holy name? Today, give that gift to the Giver of all good gifts. -VCG