Monday, February 11, 2019

Pastor's Ponderings, February 11, 2019

God Wants His Children To Be The Best

Frances Y. Spencer wrote an article in “The Advocate”, February 6, 2019 issue, entitled, “Carnegie Hall sets stage for teen cellist’s dreams.”  As a fifth-grader cellist in Chicago, my grandson, Ethan Clay began to dream one of those dreams shared by musicians across the globe of playing Carnegie Hall. On Sunday, February 10, 2019, he took the famous stage as part of the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. Over10,000 students auditioned and he was selected to be in the elite 300 who would perform yesterday. This is a dream come true not only for Ethan but also for his parents Erick and Leslie Clay. His dream is also their dream, as they want the best for him.

In the Bible, God tells us that He also wants the best for His children.  He says that His children get His protection and are the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8).  We are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6).  God wants us to receive His peace that goes past any earthly peace.  He wants us to be rich without all of the sorrow that sometimes comes with it.  He wants us in divine health, not just to be able to afford to visit a doctor (3 John 2).

Just like Ethan and the 300 other outstanding performers from around the world, God says that His children are the head and not the tail, on top and never on the bottom (Deuteronomy 28:13). He concludes that whatever we do in life is very successful in His eyes (Psalm 1:3).  In every challenge of life, in the end, we always are victorious (2 Corinthians 2:14a). His children don’t just win but in Christ, they are greater than winners (Romans 8:37).

Our family is so happy that God has gifted Ethan with both musical and academic ability and is being recognized for his talent and commitment.  We as followers of Christ should also look forward to that blessed day when we will receive the ultimate crown of righteousness that is being set aside for us in eternity (2 Timothy 4:8).  God wants the best for His children. Let us receive all of the peace, joy, love, and prosperity that He has for those who love Him.

Psalm 17:8
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Keep me [in Your affectionate care, protect me] as the apple of Your eye; Hide me in the [protective] shadow of Your wings.

Ephesians 1:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

3 John 2
New International Version (NIV)
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Deuteronomy 28:13
New International Version (NIV)
13 The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.

Psalm 1:3
New International Version (NIV)
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

2 Corinthians 2:14a
King James Version (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…

Romans 8:37
New International Version (NIV)
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

2 Timothy 4:8
New International Version (NIV)
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.






No comments: