What If Your Children Should Gain The World But Have Not Jesus?
Isn't it difficult to pull yourself away, and almost impossible? (At least until the guilt of having been on too long over comes the enticement.) There are numerous enticements that await to pull you into their grasp- Not just you but your children as well.
Wouldn't you agree with me that the pleasures of this world have a powerful influence on the mind and body?
The mind and body revel in these pleasures and always crave, never satisfied but seeks more and bigger and "better" pleasures. Something akin to eating a chocolate candy bar- you always feel like more.
Dear Mothers beware! These things only lead to leanness of the soul! The more you "feed your flesh" the less you are sensitive to the things of God.
Turn away from the enticements of the flesh and turn to the true and living God. HE is life indeed and satisfies the soul! Seek a deep relationship with Jesus Christ the Lord- not with the World.
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:1-3)
As you seek God you will have a greater desire to point your children to Him- and teach them that life is useless with out Jesus Christ.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(James 1:12-15)
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(Matthew 16:24-26)
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or suffer loss?(Luke 9:23-25)
And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not a hair of your head perish. In your patience you will gain your souls.(Luke 21:17-19)
For though I am free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.(1 Corinthians 9:19)
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.(Philippians 1:21)
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing let us be with these things content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
The following Hymn makes my hearts melt. Consider, dear mothers- what if you had not Jesus?
If I Gained The World:
If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?
If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ-filled life?
Had I wealth and love in fullest measure,
And a name revered both far and near,
Yet no hope beyond, no harbor waiting,
Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer;
If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Who endured the cross and died for me,
Could then all the world afford a refuge,
Whither, in my anguish, I might flee?
O what emptiness!—without the Savior
’Mid the sins and sorrows here below!
And eternity, how dark without Him!
Only night and tears and endless woe!
What, though I might live without the Savior,
When I come to die, how would it be?
O to face the valley’s gloom without Him!
And without Him all eternity!
O the joy of having all in Jesus!
What a balm the broken heart to heal!
Ne’er a sin so great, but He’ll forgive it,
Nor a sorrow that He does not feel!
If I have but Jesus, only Jesus,
Nothing else in all the world beside—
O then everything is mine in Jesus;
For my needs and more He will provide.
Words: Anna Ölander, 1904
To hear this song go here:
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/f/i/ifigainw.htm
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?
If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ-filled life?
Had I wealth and love in fullest measure,
And a name revered both far and near,
Yet no hope beyond, no harbor waiting,
Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer;
If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Who endured the cross and died for me,
Could then all the world afford a refuge,
Whither, in my anguish, I might flee?
O what emptiness!—without the Savior
’Mid the sins and sorrows here below!
And eternity, how dark without Him!
Only night and tears and endless woe!
What, though I might live without the Savior,
When I come to die, how would it be?
O to face the valley’s gloom without Him!
And without Him all eternity!
O the joy of having all in Jesus!
What a balm the broken heart to heal!
Ne’er a sin so great, but He’ll forgive it,
Nor a sorrow that He does not feel!
If I have but Jesus, only Jesus,
Nothing else in all the world beside—
O then everything is mine in Jesus;
For my needs and more He will provide.
Words: Anna Ölander, 1904
To hear this song go here:
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/f/i/ifigainw.htm
