GOD SAYS CHILDREN ARE HIS BEST GIFT!

* The message Bible translation of Psalm 127:3 says, "Don't you see that children are God's BEST gift? the fruit of the womb His generous legacy?"

* The Moffat's translation says, "Sons are a gift from the eternal and children are a BOON from Him."

HOW SHOULD WE RECEIVE A GIFT?

We see from the above scriptures that children are a gift from God. What should we do with a gift, especially a gift from God? Reject it or receive it? How should we receive the gift of children?

Matthew 18:5 says, "Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives Me." The word 'receive' that is used here is the Greek word, 'dechomal' which means to 'accept a gift deliberately and readily; to receive heartily; reaching out eagerly to receive something; looking for; waiting with earnest expectation.'

Check also Luke 9:48. It is different from when the word 'lambano' is used which means to receive without necessarily a favorable reception. Matthew 18: 5 tells us that when we receive a little child, we are actually receiving Jesus Himself. To welcome a baby is to welcome Jesus!

Should we receive Jesus with a half-hearted attitude? Some folks are adamant that they don't want to have children at all. Others will say, "Well, if God gives us one, we'll accept, but we're not trying." This scripture says that we are to intentionally desire the gift of children.

Recently, a dear friend of mine had a vision, which had a powerful impact upon her, and also upon me when she shared it with me. She shares, "In this vision I saw God, as a king and a father, busily wrapping all types of presents. All these gifts were different, no two wrapped alike, and all of them were beautifully adorned in all kinds of paper and bows. I came to understand in my spirit as I watched, that all of these 'gifts' were children.

I continued to watch as God went from door to door, home to home, delivering these carefully wrapped packages. My heart began to break as time after time, doors were opened and closed in His face, denying the gift God brought. Some were very nice in their response, explaining that they were too busy right now to receive any gift - maybe later. Others were downright rude, slamming the door in disgust, and some would take the gift, look at it and shake it a little, then throw it out the door.

I watched as God's heart broke and a tear trickled down the face of this kingly Father. He had spent so much time, love, and excited preparation to create and deliver these gifts...and to what avail? There were a few families who embraced the gift He gave them and a few who were overjoyed that He would deliver it to them personally. However, the majority of the people were unreceptive to the gifts from this loving Father."