I have used the phrase “shepherding the heart” to embody the process of guiding our children. It means helping them understand themselves, God’s world, the ways of God, how sin works in the human heart, and how the gospel comes to them at the most profound levels of human need. Shepherding the hearts of children also involves helping them understand their motivations, goals, wants, wishes and desires. It exposes the true nature of reality and encourages faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You undertake the shepherding process through (this) kind of rich, mulit-faceted communication.
Tedd Tripp

They Were Such Good Boys

They Were Such Good Boys

They Were Such Good Boys!

Recently a metropolitan newspaper reported the shocking story of how five teenage boys terrorized their suburban town.

Shock, rage, disbelief surged through the community as the high school students were tried and convicted in court for a variety of crimes including robbing an armored truck, beatings, robberies, and shootings.

The most common reaction from neighbors, family, and fellow students was: “They were such good boys.”

Apparently they had been “good boys.” All were from fine homes. Two of the boys were basketball stars. They dated the prettiest girls in school, and some were on the Honor Roll.

Jesus saw a similar group of men who were the respected leaders of their day. Their actions were honorable. They prayed in public. They gave money to widows. This religious order (Pharisees) did all the right things in the eyes of men. In the eyes of the community, “They were such nice men.”

Jesus, however, viewed the men as they really were, “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:28).

He cut through the facade that covered their hearts. As the Son of God he looked upon the hearts and saw sin. Because it is from the inward being that sin expresses itself (Mark 7:21-23).

Let’s take a moment for a personal inventory. Do your outward actions measure up to what your family, friends, and neighbors expect of you? Are your actions and external appearance that of a nice guy?”

Now, look at your heart as God looks at it. Remember He is not fooled by outward appearances (I Samuel 16:7). If you are honest with yourself, you will admit that you have sin in your life. We “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and according to the Bible we must pay for those sins (Romans 6:23) by death (eternal separation from God).

There is an alternative, however, because God gave His only son, Jesus Christ, to die for us – all of us. Our decision to accept Jesus into our hearts is an acceptance of light over darkness, righteousness over sin, and life over death.

If you are honest with yourself before God, and realize the need for forgiveness in your heart, pray the following prayer to God:

“Heavenly Father, I know you love me because you sent your son Jesus to die on a cross bearing my sins. Thank you Lord for helping me realize my sins. I confess that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I accept you as my personal Savior and invite you into my heart. Forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you, Lord, for eternal salvation. Amen.”

When you sincerely pray this prayer the evil thoughts and actions of a sinful heart will be replaced by the thoughts and actions of a child of God. Write for information on how to grow and mature as a Christian.

David Buttram

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