Granddaddy's Jesus

This past Memorial Day found Brooks and me in the cooler temperatures of the North Carolina Mountains and the home of our son, daughter-in-love and precious granddaughter, Amelia. On our last afternoon there we went to the local park which just happens to border the river so naturally Brooks and Gregory took fishing rods and related paraphernalia for trout fishing while Amelia bounced from swing to slide and back again. Nicole and I also bounced from swing to slide and back again just trying to keep up with her boundless energy!

Amelia is two so she has that pure innocence and unquestioning trust that Jesus declares we must have in order to come into His kingdom. And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 8:2-3 (ESV).

After our park adventure we decided to grab a bite to eat before heading back to the house. Once we were seated in the restaurant Amelia wanted to sit between Grandma and Granddaddy and again her ability to bounce was confirmed as she moved from me to Brooks and back again! As she was sitting with Brooks, she spied his cross necklace which had worked its way above the neckline of his shirt. She proceeded to pull it out completely to discover Jesus on the cross and when asked who it was on the cross, she answered, “Granddaddy’s Jesus.” I thought immediately, there’s my next devotion!

The Gospel message is so simple that children can understand it; believe and be saved. It’s us adults that want to make it hard to understand; how we can be loved and desired by God? Often times, we think we have to fix ourselves, correct whatever is wrong with us in order for us to be accepted by the Lord. It is a gift, and all we need to do is accept it. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV)

So, going back to the main theme here of Granddaddy’s Jesus may bring the question of how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. The scriptures tell us to receive (accept) and believe. We find this truth in John 1:12, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (ESV) The next steps are studying His Word and praying.

Today, you too can know Amelia’s Granddaddy’s Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Ask Jesus into your heart and begin or refresh your relationship with Him.