Growing Up in Relationship of Love and Joy
1) The Fruit of God’s Love
“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”(John 17:21,NIV)
The Triune God is united in love. Out of that love, He created humanity in His image and made us one with Him, to dwell within the fellowship of the Trinity. We, who are made according to God’s original form, are the fruit of His love. And when we live according to that design—loving one another—we also bear the fruit of love, living fully and united in God.
》Scripture Prayer
(Psalm 127:1–5, NIV) 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Those dead in sin cannot know God, come near His Word, be holy, or truly love. Nevertheless, because of the desperation to be loved, people search for love in parents, friends, or spouses. Yet human love is often distorted—filled with selfishness, lust, and greed. Let us examine the love that exists in our families and repent if we’ve been seeking love out of self-centered desire.
2. God continues to bear the fruit of life. This fruit is eternal life, born only through love. No matter how early we rise, how late we lie down, or how hard we labor, we cannot bear this fruit by ourselves. But as God’s children, we’ve been given rest in His love. Let us pray that both parents and the children of the next generation will be filled with this love, and that no matter what enemy may try to destroy the family, we will overcome through the love of God.
2) I Shall Not Be in Want
David was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons and served as a shepherd from a young age. When lions or bears attacked his flock, he would defeat them by trusting in the name of the Lord. God, as David’s Shepherd, gave him everything he needed. He began as a military commander at the young age of 16, later became a fugitive, and eventually became a king. David experienced God’s goodness and love throughout every season of life. His greatest satisfaction was in dwelling in the house of the Lord forever as His child.
》Scripture Prayer
(Psalm 23:1–6, NIV) 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. God knew David even before he was born. When the time came, He revealed Himself to David through His Word, gave him grace, and saved him through faith. Though David was young, he continued to seek and trust in God, praising Him and living in fellowship through prayer. Let us pray that the same grace and salvation will be poured out on our young generation, and that they too will grow up walking in loving fellowship with God.
2. Love is the most essential element in all human relationships. But many of them fall apart because people are not satisfied with one another. Even if parents give everything to their children, the children may still feel it isn’t enough. Likewise, no matter how sincerely children serve their parents, they may still feel insufficient. People, made in God’s image, can only be truly satisfied in the love of God, who is full of goodness and mercy. Let us pray that all generations will return to the Lord, live in His house forever, and be filled with love and joyful communion.
3) Growing Up in a Relationship of Love and Joy
God delights in having fellowship with us because He loves us. Out of joy, He shares with us all that is His, so we can partake in His glory. God’s love is so great that even when we are broken and ruined, He still rejoices to restore us and have fellowship with us through Christ. The life we’ve received, made in God’s image, grows only in this love. We are now new creations, growing in love with God and in joyful fellowship with Him.
》Scripture Prayer
(Proverbs 2:1–12, NIV) 1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. 12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. The fear of God begins with realizing His love. Just as love is experienced when a parent and child recognize and respond to each other with open hearts, we are transformed into a new life that lives in fellowship with God’s love. Let us long for this fellowship, and pray with all our hearts to draw near to God, who saved us and always waits for us in love and joy.
2. When God created people, He gave us free will so we could love voluntarily. This is because only then can we have complete love. He reveals this love to us through the gospel. Let us continue to teach and share the Word with the younger generation, especially those who have yet to believe, so that they may come to trust in God’s love. Let’s pray in faith that our children will hunger for love and joyful fellowship and run to God through His Word.
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