Bible in One Year:
Sunday, October 25, 2009
(1 Sam 11 - 1 Sam 13)

Memorise: "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God" (Mk 10:14)

Read: John 21:15-17
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

The candidate for Heaven's approval and recommendation will be a sheep keeper. When such a fellow is in the company of the sheep, they will receive comfort. When the Lord was addressing Peter at a post -resurrection dinner, He told him thrice, 'If you love me feed my sheep'. The one God will recognize will not only cater for the adults but also the children because they are God's heritage. Some pastors focus only on adults. At best, some will include the teenagers but they neglect the children. Such a pastor is to be pitied! One reason your church has not been overrun by demons is because of the presence of the angels attached to those wonderful children. Every pastor that God will approve must adequately take care of the children's department and ensure they have a decent, spacious, well ventilated place for their meetings. Besides this, the various teaching aids must be provided. The children's teachers, must not be those who cannot fit into other departments but educated, cultured and prayerful people. You can predict the future of a church when you look at the level of commitment, care and training they give the children's church. If you neglect them, your church has no future. But if you give maximum attention to them today, you are only laying a solid foundation for the future of your church. 

One interesting thing about today's passage is that the Lord never asked Peter to feed the goats, but the lambs and sheep. But in every church, there are goats, lambs, and sheep. The goats are a breed, the sheep another breed. The goats are of satanic origin while the sheep originate from the Good Shepherd. Goats cannot be fed with spiritual food. If you are obstinate, or always finding fault with God's Word, you are a goat. Don't be surprised: there are many goat ministers in churches today. The people they are leading are on their way to Heaven while they are heading for hell. Any minister or worker that will discourage members or colleagues from running with the God-given vision of the pastor for the church is not a sheep but a goat. Every goat-like trait in your life must be uprooted to enable you receive divine recommendation. Are you a goat or a sheep? You are identified not by what you profess but by your life-style or character. 

ACTION POINT:
Thank God for our children and teens churches. Ask for greater presence of God and enlargement in their meetings.