Living Water

Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; (Genesis 1:29 NAS)

According to Greenpeace, forest destruction produces about one fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than that emitted from all the cars, planes, and trains in the world. Countries like South America, Africa and the Pacific however do not have the means or the money to protect these large tracts of tropical forests. Ancient forests house around two-thirds of the world’s land-based species of plants and animals. The remaining tracts of forests influence day-to-day weather and help keep the climate stable over time by storing massive amounts of carbon. Logging and burning forests, however, releases that carbon to the atmosphere and creates global warming and climate change.

The crisis of global warming is something all of us must face and tackle if we wish to preserve the future of our planet. Some people believe this is the time for us to pay back for our greed that made the earth sick. Earth was created perfect and man was assigned from the beginning of times to care for the green (Genesis 1:29). We however have failed to preserve the balance between sustainability and depletion. We have drawn from the earth great harvests and produce, but have failed to replenish and cultivate in order to sustain the earth and its environments.

Jesus, in one of the parables in the Gospel, told of a landowner who planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers while he went on a journey (Matthew 21:33-41). When the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce but the vine-growers beat up one slave, killed another, and stoned a third. When the landowner finally sends his son to them, the vine-growers killed him, thinking they would be able to seize his inheritance. What therefore will the landowner of the vineyard do to those vine-growers when he returns?

Our earth is like the vineyard mentioned in the parable, created by God along with all the greens in it (1 Corinthians 10:26). Trees, vegetation and plants are parts of the earth’s environment, and they play an important role of balancing the ecosystem of earth. Our earth’s ecosystem however can be depleted if we fail to cultivate and ensure sustainability.

As Christians, vine-growers of God and stewards of His creation, we are therefore responsible for the keeping and reaping of the earth’s produce. We are to do our part in the planting and cultivating of the land, to keep and sustain it, to ensure the survival and continuity of the earth’s environment. God, as the landowner of the vineyard and the Creator of the earth, has the right to receive His produce from us. Whoever therefore is the faithful and sensible steward, the Lord will put in charge and be rewarded at the proper time (Luke 12:42). Whoever is unfaithful, however, will face a wretched end and that has been given to him will be taken away to be shared with others (Matthew 21:41).

Let us all therefore be counted faithful in the handling and managing the resources God has given to us. Whether it be material things, the environment, the greens of the earth, the resources or things we make from the earth, let us ensure its continuity and sustainability, not to deplete the earth of its resource.

Help us therefore O Lord to appreciate and value the natural resources You have given us on earth. Do not allow us to be presumptuous Lord to assume we can exploit the earth without paying a price. We want to be good stewards O God in preserving the balance between sustainability and depletion in using the resources drawn from the earth for consumption. Teach us Lord to cultivate good habits to help slow the death of the environment and the earth.

Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. (Revelation 9:1-2 NAS)

According to astronomers, a black hole is a region of space in which the gravitational pull is so powerful that nothing can escape from it, not even light. It absorbs all the light that hits it and reflects nothing in its space, covering all within it with infinite darkness into which objects can fall in, but nothing can come out. A black hole is believed to be created in the collapse of a very massive star at its death. It is shielded from the outside world by what is called an event horizon. This is a sphere around the black hole where light can no longer escape and everything that crosses the event horizon is gone forever.

Despite the invisible interior of a black hole, it can reveal its presence through interaction with other matter. One of the ways to detect the presence of a black hole is by observing the inward spiraling of gas heating up to very high temperatures and emitting large amounts of radiation from earthbound and earth-orbiting telescopes. Such observations, according to information from the Wikipedia, have resulted in scientific consensus that black holes exist in our universe.

Like the gravitational pull of a black hole, the draw and attraction of this world can also be very powerful and enticing. If we are not careful, we can be absorbed deep into the entanglements of this world to a point of no return (Mark 3:22-30; Matthew 12:31-32; 22:11-13; 24:48-51; 25:11-13; Revelation 2:14-16, 20-23). Beyond this point, if we continue to persist in hardening our hearts to hold back the Light of God from penetrating, we will no longer be able to escape or come out of it, and will be lost forever once we cross ‘the event horizon of the black hole.’ So strong will be the pull from the forces of darkness that we will not be able to find our way back.

Before going too deep into darkness, therefore, let us all examine ourselves to observe what is ‘inwardly spiraling’ within us of our motives and cause when we make decisions. Have we given thought to how our decisions can affect others and our walk with God? Unless we look within our hearts and examine ourselves to see if we harbor ill intent in our plans and decisions, we can be in danger of becoming instrumental to the ‘heating up of very high temperatures and emitting radiation’ of smoke from the great furnace of the bottomless pit that shrouds the sun and air (Revelation 9:1-2).

We should therefore decisively purpose in our hearts to stay clear from the absorbing darkness of this world which can prevent the light of God from coming through. When that happens, there will be no return, and darkness will prevail to lay its claim, where all who do not receive Jesus as Lord and Savior or who turn away from Him will perish and suffer the agonizing fire of the abyss and hell forever (Revelation 20:12-15).

Lead us O Lord to walk in Your ways all the days of our lives, never to be drawn away into the enticement of this world. Help us examine our hearts Lord when we make decisions, to always consider whether we are taking a step forward or away from You. Keep us safe from the clutches of darkness Lord that we may not fall prey into the schemes of the devil and his allies to draw closer into the black hole of the bottomless pit. Do not let Your light diminish from shining through us Lord that we may not be shrouded into infinite darkness, but be spared from the burning furnace of eternal death.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Ephesians 1:3 NAS)

When I was a young Christian, I was taught to use colors to highlight verses in my Bible to help me easily find different aspects of Bible truths. Blue was the color designated for representing blessings from God poured down from heaven in the sky of blue. This positive representation of blue however is unusual because in the secular world blue is usually represented with negativity. Colloquial expressions such as ‘Monday blues’ and ‘feeling the blues’ are examples of negative representations seen from the perspective of life on earth as drudgery.

Monday blues and feeling the blues are often associated with connotations of being mundane or meaningless, in low spirits, reluctance, dejection, depression, despondence, wasting of efforts, melancholy, apart from it being a joy killer. Such negative connotations and emotions are frequently expressed by people around the world, even among Christians. These emotions and feelings of negativity are clear indications of moods and attitudes build on the insinuations of the devil to cause us to lose hope and to indulge in depression rather than to live our lives to the fullest.

We probably have experienced blues in our lives at one time or another. Some of us may feel blue when things are not going as smoothly as we hope. Others may feel blue because of the start of a new week doing mundane or meaningless work. Yet there are also others who genuinely have good reasons to be in low spirits, maybe as a result of some misfortune, mishap, misadventure, or suffering. All these reasons or excuses, however, are not good enough reasons for us to be disheartened or dispirited.

As believers and representatives of the true and Living God, we should be filled with joy overflowing at all times, even while in affliction (2 Corinthians 7:4; Acts 13:52). This is because God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Maintaining a joyful spirit when doing our work is therefore crucial, even if it is not at all interesting or the ideal job we are seeking (1 Peter 2:18), for in whatever we do, we must do it heartily as for the Lord rather than for men (Colossians 3:23). We should therefore give of ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord, knowing with certainty in our hearts that God will not hesitate to open up the windows of heaven to pour out His blessings on us until it overflows (Malachi 3:10; Romans 12:1-2).

Fill us dear Lord with Your joy and pour out Your blessings on us. Open our eyes Lord to see life in the correct perspectives that we may not indulge in depressive moods, but be renewed in our spirits with joy overflowing. Remove from us Lord the spirit of negativity that we may live our lives meaningfully and victoriously, each day with great expectancy as we face every situation with You in supremacy. Blessed be Your name O Lord for You are worthy to receive all praise and all glory!

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NAS)

When Henry Dunant, a Swiss banker traveling on business in northern Italy, witnessed the bloody aftermath of the Battle of Solferino between 300,000 soldiers from Imperial Austria and the Franco-Sardinian Alliance in 1859, he resolved to form relief societies with the objective to have the wounded cared for by devoted volunteers fully qualified for the task. In October 1863, therefore, under the leadership of Henry Dunant, along with Gustave Moynier, General Guillaume-Henri Dufour, Dr Louis Appia and Dr Theodore Maunoir, the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded was set up in Geneva, which today is the International Committee of the Red Cross. The symbol of the Red Cross has since become a universal representation of hope and assistance.

Just as the Red Cross symbolizes hope and assistance to many, the Cross which was shed in red with the blood of Christ symbolizes hope and salvation to the world. Since the fall of man, God has witnessed time and again the bloody aftermath of death resulting from the sinful nature of man, beginning with the bloody murder of Abel (Genesis 4). Since the days of Adam, therefore, God has resolved to have the ‘wounded’ cared for, not only by devoted volunteers such as the judges, kings and prophets, but also by all of us who believe in the Son of God. As Christians and believers saved by God through the shedding of blood by our Lord Jesus Christ and death on the Cross (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2), we are all therefore qualified for the task to be God’s witnesses. For though our sins were as scarlet and red like crimson, we have been cleansed as white as snow like wool (Isaiah 1:18).

As Christians, therefore, we ought not to hesitate to provide relief to the wounded, especially those who are in hurt and facing the agony of sin and death. We need not wait till we are spiritually mature to be qualified to do the work of God and to help provide relief to people in need, for God has already qualified us for His task when we acknowledged Him as our Lord and King. We also need not feel inadequate, because God has completely whitewashed us from our sinful past with His blood.

Thank you dear Lord for cleansing us from sin and saving us from death through the shedding of Your blood on the Cross. Place in our hearts Lord the desire to help people in need, especially those who are wounded, hurt, in agony and in need of your salvation. Help us Lord not to hesitate to do the task you have for us in providing physical and spiritual relief to the world.

Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22 NAS)

One of the first lessons I learnt as a new Christian was ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’. At the age of 15, I was faced with the dilemma to obey God or Man concerning water baptism. I knew if I decide to obey God and be baptized, I would have to disobey my parents who are ardent ‘buddhists’ (taoists). If I have asked for permission, my parents would have objected to the proposition, and if they know the date of the baptism, they would lock me up and barred me from ever getting involved with Christianity again. I am after all just a youth under their governance, legally underage to make such a serious decision.

Troubled over this matter, I sought help from my pastor who counseled me and advised me ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’ (1 Samuel 15:22). What he meant then was if obedience to God is such a great sacrifice to me, then I should not go ahead with water baptism until I am ready to willingly give myself to God. I chose then to skip my first opportunity to obey God in water baptism.

My disobedience to God pricked me over the next few months because my heart was yearning to serve God in the student ministry, but without obedience in water baptism, it is impossible for me to serve Him whole-heartedly. It then came clear to me that although salvation is received the moment I trust in Christ, water baptism is still a necessary step for the outward expression of my obedience as a witness to self and to the public, without which the world will not recognize me as a Christian. So I pondered and read the Scriptures to find out what it has to say about obedience to parents.

For God said, `HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,’ and, `HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.’ (Matthew 15:4 NAS)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (Ephesians 6:1-3 NAS)

If any man has a stubborn and rebellious son, that will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and, though they chasten him, will not hearken unto them; then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; (Deuteronomy 21:18-19 NAS)

The verses quoted above are clear. Obedience to parents is God’s command, and if a son disobeys, he is as a stubborn and rebellious son deserving chastening. Does this therefore mean I should obey my parents and forget about water baptism? May it never be! What Ephesians 6:1 means is to obey your parents IN THE LORD, by first obeying God.

So when the next baptism came, I chose to disobey my parents and went ahead with water baptism in obedience to my heavenly Father. The aftermath was not smooth sailing when I finally told my parents and persecution breaks out which lasted several years before they accept me for what I believe.

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 NAS)

The route of obedience to God is not easy. Whether as a youth or an adult, there is often a price to pay when you choose to obey God. Honor God and God will give you honor (1 Samuel 2:30; John 12:26). If you seek first His kingdom, He will bless you and provide you with all your needs (Matthew 6:33).

… choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah. (Joshua 24:15 NAS)

All of us know the many different styles of managing a country or a company or even our subordinates. We sometimes use authoritarian style, at other times liberal style, and occasionally consultative style.

The Bible records one of the ways King David manages his team of warriors in making decisions, through the use of consultative management.

1 Chronicles 13:1-4 (NAS)

Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds, even with every leader.

David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is from the LORD our God, let us send everywhere to our kinsmen who remain in all the land of Israel, also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands, that they may meet with us; and let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.”

Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
If you are a good leader, a CEO, a director, a manager, or a supervisor, here is something you can learn from king David in the ways he manages his team. Learn to listen to the people at times. Use consultative management, but ALWAYS make decisions with God in your plan! Be sensitive to your staff, colleagues, and subordinates.

We frequently see expressions of anger and sometimes experience flare-up too. We get angry when someone breaks a promise or when we are unable to get what we want. We also get angry because we fail to meet our own expectation or because we do not measure up to perfection. We get frustrated at people when we see them do things we considered as undignified or deviant. We may even be unhappy for being angry with people and sometimes ourselves.

There are many reasons why we get angry but we must always understand that anger in itself is not wrong. What is wrong is dependent on whether we are angry for the right reasons.

The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said:

“Anyone can be angry - that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - this is not easy.”

The Bible talks about an anger that is righteous and holy, such as the holy anger of God:

And they have defiled My holy name by their abominations which they have committed. So I have consumed them in My anger. (Ezekiel 43:8b NAS)

In this verse, we know that God has the right to be angry when His holy name is defiled by the sins of Man because our God is a holy and righteous God. Jesus Himself was angry and cast out the people who were buying and selling in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17). God must also have been angry when He sends an angel to strike Herod because he did not give God the glory (Acts 12:21-23).

From the references of the Scriptures mentioned above we can see that anger in itself is NOT sin. Anger can be holy and righteous if it is for the right reasons.

Most of us however are angry not because of holiness or righteousness. We often get angry without first investigating the truth or without considerations for the circumstances of others. As Christians, we must learn to be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (James 1:19 NAS). We may get angry and yet do not sin if we are angry for the right reasons. However, whether it is for the right or wrong reasons, our anger must always be kept in checked and not consume us or be carried forward to another day so that we do not sin. For the Bible says:

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. (Ephesians 4:25-16 NAS)

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:30-32 NAS)

We possess the power to overcome anger because as Christians we have the Holy Spirit in us and “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23 NAS).

Paul in his epistle to the Galatians teaches us to walk by the Spirit so that we will not conform to the desires of the flesh.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (Galatians 5:16-17 NAS)

Let us therefore not grieve the Holy Spirit in us by being angry unduly, remembering always not to let anger be brought forward to another day. Where forgiveness is necessary, confess and reconcile with the other party within the same day, and DO NOT let anger accumulate, because it can consume us to the point of bitterness. Confess to God and acknowledge our sins if we have been angry for the wrong reason, and let the Spirit of God Who dwells in us mold and change us as we walk in His Word daily.

Then he said, “May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. (Ruth 3:10 NAS)
Many people have reservation about marrying someone much older than the other. The Bible provides several examples of marriage by people with a difference in age gap, and one of them is between Ruth and Boaz. Ruth is one of the few people in the Bible with no recorded sin, and she goes down into history following the genealogical line of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).

The Bible in Ruth 3:9-11e (NAS) records Boaz’s evaluation of Ruth and expressed Boaz’s willingness to take Ruth in marriage.

He [Boaz] said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.” Then he said, “May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. “Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
From the verses shown above, it is clear that there is a gap difference between the age of Boaz and Ruth. Boaz called Ruth “my daughter” and commended her for not “going after young men.” The honor resulting from this marriage is the recorded history of a couple in our Savior’s family line.

Matthew Henry (1706) in his ‘Commentary on the Whole Bible’ states the following:

“Boaz knew it was not any sinful lust that brought her [Ruth] thither, and therefore bravely maintained both his own honour and hers. He did not put any ill construction upon what she did, did not reproach her as an impudent woman and unfit to make an honest man a wife. She having approved herself well in the fields, and all her conduct having been modest and decent, he would not, from this instance, entertain the least suspicion of her character nor seem to do so, perhaps blaming himself that he had not offered the service of a kinsman to these distressed widows, and saved her this trouble, and ready to say as Judah concerning his daughter-in-law, She is more righteous than I. But on the contrary, he commended her, spoke kindly to her, called her his daughter, and spoke honourably of her, as a woman of eminent virtue.”

“She [Ruth] had shown in this instance more kindness to her mother-in-law, and to the family into which she had matched, than in any instance yet. It was very kind to leave her own country and come along with her mother to the land of Israel, to dwell with her, and help to maintain her. For this he had blessed her (Ruth 2:12); but now he says, Thou hast shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning (Ruth 3:10), in that she consulted not her own fancy, but her husband’s family, in marrying again. She received not the addresses of young men (much less did she seek them) whether poor or rich, but was willing to marry as the divine law directed, though it was to an old man, because it was for the honour and interest of the family into which she had matched, and for which she had an entire kindness. Young people must aim, in disposing of themselves, not so much to please their own eye as to please God and their parents. He promised her marriage (Ruth 3:11):

“Fear not that I will slight thee, or expose thee; no, I will do all that thou requirest, for it is the same that the law requires, from the next of kin, and I have no reason to decline it, for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”

“Note, exemplary virtue ought to have its due praise (Philemon 4:8), and it will recommend both men and women to the esteem of “the wisest and best. Ruth was a poor woman, and poverty often obscures the lustre of virtue; yet Ruth’s virtues, even in a mean condition, were generally taken notice of and could not be hid; nay, her virtues took away the reproach of her poverty. If poor people be but good people, they shall have honour from God and man. Ruth had been remarkable for her humility, which paved the way to this honour. The less she proclaimed her own goodness the more did her neighbours take notice of it. In the choice of yoke-fellows, virtue should especially be regarded, known approved virtue.”

As can be seen from the commentary, Ruth chose “to please God” rather than self, and in so doing, pleases God. Marriage in the real world is not about age differences, it is about honoring God. There is no failed marriage if we do all things to honor God!

Dear Lord, help us to realize that a lasting relationship is not dependent on age or anything else, but on Your will for us. Cause us Lord not to make decisions according to the practices of societal norms, nor according to our own emotions. Still our hearts Lord that we may know clearly and calmly the one whom You have chosen for us. Thank You Lord for Your guidance and blessing as we continue to put You first above all else in every area of our lives, and especially when making such important decisions.

Adapted from article ‘Age Gap in Marriage‘ by Edmond Ng.

Those who depend on their wealth will fall like the leaves of autumn, but the righteous will prosper like the leaves of summer. (Proverbs 11:28 GNT)

Many people think tree leaves fall and die during the fall season because of weather changes, but studies have shown the real reason for leaves falling is drought. This is because the primary function of leaves is photosynthesis, and photosynthesis requires the use of water, carbon dioxide and light to create food in the leaves to generate organic compounds and oxygen. In order to induce a suction force, however, the leaves will need to constantly sweat, and in winter season shed them so as not to get dried. As daylight gets shorter during fall, however, the leaves will gradually suffer thirst because of the reducing absorption of water with the shrinking daylight. This means even when trees live in wet climate with abundant snowfall and rainfall or even when in the warmest of falls, the trees will still lose their leaves, triggered by the shorten length of daylight.

Many changes occur in the leaves before they finally fall from the branch. According to Joe Lamp’L of DIY Network who wrote an article on ‘Why do leaves fall in autumn?’ at ScrippsNews.com, changing colors of leaves during fall is part of an important and complicated process which ends in the leaves being shed at the end of each growing season. The trees, in protecting themselves, purge diseased, damaged or dead leaves, while they seal the point where the petiole connects to it. As the climate and light conditions of autumn evolve, tree hormones change as well, the most notable of which is auxin, a hormone in trees that promotes root formation and bud growth. The balance of auxin levels between leaves and branches is the key to determining if and when the leaves drop.

Much like the processes that end in the fall of tree leaves during the autumn season, Christian living also draws a parallel equivalence in the way we live our lives. Like the leaves of autumn, we often fall under the dry spell of keeping ourselves connected to God, resulting in spiritual drought because of over reliance and dependency on our own ability and wealth (Proverbs 11:28). Spiritual drought can happen when we are too caught up with the entanglements of this world and if we are not careful, we may, like the ‘photosynthesis,’ gradually fail to absorb the necessary energy from the light of the sun to produce food from water and carbon dioxide. When that happens, we will eventually lose our ‘leaves’ of a close relationship with God, triggered by the shorten length of ‘daylight’ absorption from the Light of the world (John 8:12), the Son of the living God.

Many changes can occur in our lives if we spend too much time in the entanglements of this world which can lead us to finally fall from the ‘branch’ that connects us to God. Jesus, in teaching us about the need for us to live in Him said, “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me” (John 15:5 GNT). Like the trees that protect themselves and purge diseased, damaged or dead leaves to seal off the point where the leaves connect, we as the leaves and the branches must also be wise not to be caught walking away from the narrow way or be unprepared to receive the Lord when He returns as the bridegroom (Luke 13:24-28; Matthew 25). We must therefore balance our ‘auxin’ levels to ensure a deeply rooted formation to the Vine in ensuring bud growth.

Dear Lord, help us always to remember that like the leaves of the fall season, we cannot survive without living in You and staying connected to You, because You O God are the Light of the world that shines to give us life and sustenance. Keep us Lord from the entanglements of this world and from self-reliance and dependency on our own wealth. Keep us deeply rooted in You, Lord, that we may always be prepared for Your coming and not walk away from the narrow way, for You alone Lord is our strength and source of sustenance.

As the pregnant woman approaches the time to give birth, She writhes and cries out in her labor pains, Thus were we before You, O LORD. (Isaiah 26:17 NAS)

By the time a woman realize she is pregnant, she is probably already one to two months into pregnancy. By the time she sees a doctor, the baby is often two or three months along, and during the first 12 weeks, pregnancy is at its most important period because this is when the baby forms its major organ systems. According to Glade Curtis and Judith Schuler, authors of the childcare advisory book, Your Pregnancy Week by Week (2004), many important things can happen before a mother realize she is pregnant or before she sees her doctor. Getting in shape for pregnancy therefore means physical and mental preparations.

Preparing for the coming of a newborn is important, and as parents, we must first understand what goes on during the period when life is being formed within the mother’s womb at infancy. Infancy, from the perspective of medical science, begins from the point when a newborn baby passes from the watery dark environment of the womb to an existence outside the mother’s body, cut off from the former dependency on the blood supply of the mother. According to Michael Meyerhoof, Ed.D, executive director of The Education for Parenthood Information Center in Illinois who wrote on ‘Understanding Cognitive and Social Development in a Newborn‘ at HowStuffWorks.com, the first days of the infant are spent on recovering from the mother’s labor by first stabilizing the breathing, digestion, circulation, elimination, body temperature regulation and hormonal secretion before the baby’s new independent life can begin. While these adjustments are taking place, the infant is at the mercy of its own reflexes.

As days and weeks progresses, the baby will gradually begin to differentiate shapes, see colors, and distinguish taste and smell. The next stages in the baby’s development is dependent on the child’s environment, which as parents, we must play our part in controlling and composing the aspects of nature or nurture to build trust and bond by spending time with the newborn. The child during this period will acquire knowledge which will include everything from the baby recognizing the mother to learning to sing the alphabet song.

Many of us, as parents, have experienced the joy of welcoming our newborn into this world. Before this overwhelming joy can come to realization, however, every mother must first go through the pain and labor. The Bible, in describing the events preceding childbirth, said of the pregnant woman that when the time to give birth approaches, the mother writhes and cries out in labor pains (Isaiah 26:17). What goes on in the mother’s womb for the months before the delivery of the child and what goes on after the child is born into the world, however, are not all about the mother and child’s relationship alone, but also about the mercies of God and His sustenance. As the baby adjusts to the new environment to develop an independent life, it is during this period that the infant will be at the mercy of its own reflexes. This is the time when what is not mentioned in science is mentioned in the Bible about how the baby’s life is sustained from birth by God who took the infant from the mother’s womb (Psalm 71:6).

As Christian parents, therefore, we must always be thankful to God in praising Him for His sustenance on our children’s lives, for without God, we as parents can only play our roles in fulfilling the natural. It is God who does the supernatural to take care of our children’s breathing, digestion, circulation, adaptation, body temperature regulation and hormonal secretion in stabilizing the infancy of a fresh new life. The days, weeks and months after that in the development of our children’s first years are in our hands to create the environment necessary to lead our children in the right path to balance nature and nurture in cultivating our children’s independence, yet depending on God for sustenance.

Our responsibilities as parents will certainly not be easy, because every child born of a mother is conceived in iniquity and sin from birth (Psalm 51:5). We must, therefore, do our part and play our roles in living godly lives for our children to exemplify us as we build greater trust and bonding by spending time with them so that they may acquire the right knowledge and direction toward knowing God (Proverbs 22:6).

Help us therefore dear God, as parents, to know when to allow nature takes its own course and when to nurture. Thank you, God, for giving us our children and for sustaining them in the early years of their infancy. Grant us wisdom LORD to lead our children in the right path. Lead us and teach us O God to live exemplary lives that our children may grow in Your loving grace to desire more of You each day.