Talking With Jesus

As a Sunday school teacher I found that in these troubling times it has become more important every day to teach young people how to have a relationship with a living/loving God. I am working on a family devotional that does that and have started a blog titled "Talking With Jesus." 

Each devotional has

• A retold Bible story with the words of Jesus in red 
• A "Think About It" section, which applies Bible truth
• A "Pray About It" section with prayers kids can learn

Whether you are a parent, someone in children's ministries or a young person, join me today to learn how much Jesus loves and cares for you.

Jesus and the Rich Young Man

Jesus looked at him [the rich young man] and loved him. He had asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life.

"Keep the law," Jesus said. He meant the Ten Commandments.

"I've kept these since I was a boy," the young man said. But the law couldn't save him or anyone else. Jesus knew that.

He said, "One thing you lack. Go and sell everything you have and give to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven." If he did this, he would be dependent on God, not his wealth. While he thought he was good and religious, he actually failed on the first of the commandments. His wealth was his god and he walked away sad, not willing to give up earthly treasure for eternity's gain.

"I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life."

The Bible leaves the story at this point, but I want to believe that the rich young man considered what Jesus said and decided to sell all he had, give to the poor and inherit a life with God forever. Following God is a choice each of us have. I hope you've accepted Jesus as your Savior and are living for him. If not, what is in the way? It may not be money or possessions. It may be a different sin. Jesus is waiting at the door of your heart for you admit you need Him and to invite Him to help you live for Him. I am praying for you.

Lord Jesus, I am praying for those reading this post, that you would help them trust you and nothing or no one else. Amen.

The Ten Commandments

God wrote the Ten Commandments on stone  to give us hearts of flesh. Do you know them? Have you kept them? Check them out and see if they are relevent in your world today.

1. Do not have any other gods before me. I am the one True God.
2. Do not make or worship idols. Don't let anything become more important than God.
3. Do not miss use God's name. Only say God's name with reverence.
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. God worked six days and rested one day. That's what He wants for us.
5. Honor your father and your mother. Do what they say.
6. Do not murder. Do not kill another person out of anger or malice.
7. Do not commit adultery. Husbands and wives should not have close relationships with others of the opposite sex.
8. Do not steal. Do not take what is not yours.
9. Do not lie. Do not say things that are not true.
10. Do not covet. Be content with what you have.

Can you keep all these? The truth is we cannot. Although we may think we haven't disobeyed God, He looks into our hearts and He has a different value system. Jesus said for a person to be angry at another person was the same as murder. He also said for a man to look with desire at another woman besides his wife is adultery. These are hard standards because they are God's ways. We may think that we are better than someone else, but the only person we should compare ourselves with is Jesus because HE is the only one who is perfect.

To be close to God, we cannot have sin in our lives. He knew we would choose to do wrong things, but He made a way for us to have a relationship with Him anyway. He loved us so much He sent His son, Jesus, the only perfect person, to die on the cross for our sin, the wrong things we do. When we admit our need of Jesus in our lives, believe that He died to forgive us, and confess and ask Him into our hearts, we will live with Him forever. He promises He will never leave us but always be with us, through good times and bad. Do you see His ABC plan? It is:

• Admit
• Believe
• Confess

Do these and Jesus will be your best Friend forever. I hope you will. I am praying for you.

Lord Jesus, I am praying for the ones reading this post. Give them new hearts to love you. Amen.