August 23, 2006

I sincerely hope that you will be blessed and encouraged by today's devotional.

Life Lesson

Mason Locke Weems, generally known as Parson Weems, was an American printer and author who presented President George Washington as a little boy with an adult sense of morality. His classic fable of Washington chopping down the cherry tree is nothing more than fictionalized history. Weems was an Episcopal bishop and traveling bookseller best remembered for his book: The Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington. In this book, he told the tale of the cherry tree. Weems' fictionalized histories delighted many readers and were best-sellers for years.

Jesus, on the other hand, was a little boy who truly did have an adult sense of morality. Luke tells us how our Lord went to the temple courts and astounded the older teachers of the law with His amazing grasp of Scripture. Joseph and Mary were terrified when they discovered Jesus missing and were then mystified when He explained, "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"
(Luke 2:49)

Word Walk

Parenting. God did not place His Son into just any home. Mary and Joseph were specially chosen by God to be the eartly parents of the most important Child this world has ever known. This illustrates how God values good parenting.

Read Luke 2:41-52 to read more about Jesus' visit with the temple teachers and then read the Power Points below.

Power Points

Below are valuable lessons you can apply to your life.

1. God values righteous parents. God placed His only begotten Son in a home that regularly worshipped
   (Luke 2:41).



2. God values caring parents. Joseph and Mary were deeply concerned when they learned that Jesus was not with the group (Luke 2:45).



3. God values responsible parents. Mary confronted Jesus with the question, "Why have you treated us like this?" (Luke 2:48)



4. God values believing parents. Joseph and Mary didn't understand all Jesus said but believed His explanation (Luke 2:49).



5. God values faithful parents. Joseph and Mary finished rearing Jesus, helping Him grown in stature and wisdom (Luke 2:52).

Prayer

Most loving Father, the example of parenthood, you have entrusted our children to us to bring them up for you and prepare them for everlasting life. Assist us with your grace, that we may fulfill this sacred duty with competence and love.

Teach us what to give and what to withhold. Show us when to reprove, when to praise and when to be silent. Make us gentle and considerate, yet firm and watchful. Keep us from the weakness of indulgence and the excess of severity.

Give us the courage to be disliked sometimes by our children when we must do necessary things which are displeasing in their eyes. Give us the imagination to enter their world in order to understand and guide them. Grant us all the virtues we need to lead them by word and example in the ways of wisdom and holiness.

One day, with them, may we enter into the joys of our true and lasting home with you in eternity. Amen.

Closing

I hope you have been blessed by today's manna. I really encourage you to visit our Scripture of the Day page each day for spiritual sustenance.