Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 26, 2016
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Greater joy is the outcome of children who walk in the truth. Parents are joyful; grandparents are joyful; mentors are joyful. The children are joyful. So, children walking in truth is an excellent goal for parents. Walk in the truth yourself, while at the same time training your children to do the same. Truth-walking is joyful living. So this begs the question, “What is truth?” Truth is what God defines as truth. Hence, Jesus is truth. When we examine and learn about Jesus, we begin to know and understand truth.
Once Christ enters your life, you have an uncanny capability to embrace truth because truth resides within you. You can point your children to Jesus. Your belief points them to Jesus; your behavior points them to Jesus; your words point them to Jesus; your note of encouragement points them to Jesus; your decisions point them to Jesus. Every day you have the opportunity to point your children to Jesus.
Walking in truth becomes as natural as breathing. Walking in truth is not always easy; it requires the ability to stand alone. Even when your closest friends choose to reject or ignore truth, you embrace it instead. Walking in truth is not a trouble-free life. It may, in fact, facilitate conflict, but you remain steadfast in your commitment to truth-living, and truth-telling. The truth is when you and your children walk in truth, there is no greater joy.
So, it just makes sense that parents become truth-seekers, truth-livers and then transferors of truth to their children. This is a gift that keeps on giving. When you give your children the truth, you give them the way to live an abundant life. Your parental heart swells with pride when you see your children choose truth over a lie. The by-products are numerous. Not only is there great joy that comes as a result of truth-living, there is freedom, peace, security, and productivity for the Kingdom of God. Therefore, do not be afraid of the truth. It is your friend. Truth is on your side. Truth can be trusted.
Be careful, however, to validate truth with God’s Word. Make sure your feelings are not accepting a façade of truth. When you believe a lie in the guise of truth you will suffer relational friction and joyless living. Some flaunt lies masqueraded as truth because it benefits them. Expose those who peddle deception disguised as truth. Look to the truth-giver, Jesus Christ, for the final word. The Bible is crystal clear in all matters related to living out truth. God’s truth is clear. Its application may be hard or fuzzy, but His truth is transparent, timeless, and not trendy.
As a parent, make it a priority to teach your children truth. Make sure their education is based on the truth of Scripture, for there is no other truth. Lead them to Jesus so they can fall in love with Jesus. Yes, challenge them to be intellectually honest with the premise that Jesus is truth and that the Holy Spirit will guide them in all truth. Truth is not illusive. So, live it, seek it, and pass it on to your children and others. Greater joy is awaiting all who hang out with truth. Invest in truth, and receive a return on investment of no greater joy.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for the children in my life to grow up loving You and I pray they bring great joy to their parents.Application
Be creative in ways to reward your children and grandchildren when they memorize scripture.Related Reading
Today’s reading is taken from Boyd’s most popular book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, a 365 day devotional.Post/Tweet today
Validate truth with God’s Word. Make sure your feelings are not accepting a façade of truth. #wisdomhunters #nogreaterjoyWorship Resource
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