06/17/2026
Devotion June 17 2026
Taking Sunday into your Week
Scripture John 1: 9-13
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Jeremiah 29: 10-13
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Imagine a garden filled with flowers of every color, size, and fragrance. Some are tall and bright, others small and delicate, but each one adds beauty to the whole. Now imagine if the gardener only watered the tallest flowers. The garden would lose its fullness, its harmony, its life.
In the same way, our congregation is a living garden. Every member—young and old, new believer or seasoned saint—adds to the beauty of God’s family. On this National Children’s Day, while we celebrate our children, we also recognize that they flourish best when the whole garden is healthy and connected.
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)
Paul reminds us that in the body of Christ, no part is insignificant. The children are not “future” members—they are present members. The elders are not “past” contributors—they are current pillars. Every person has a God-given role.
When we think about Jesus and His relationship with children we have a tendency to think that that special relationship only covers young people, but we are encouraged to remember that because of Jesus and his finished work, all who believe in him are given “the right to become children of God.” In other words, we can become God’s permanent sons and daughters. Each of us can be a child of the King, with a loving Father and a family to belong to. We do, though, need to remember the inherent dividing lines between generations of these ‘children of God’.
Psalm 127:3 tells us “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
The young people of this heritage bring joy, energy, and fresh faith to our community. But they also need guidance, love, and examples to follow.
The adults are the nurturers and witnesses. Titus 2 calls older men and women to teach and model godliness for the younger generation. The words, prayers, and examples are seeds planted in young hearts.
Those in between --- the youth and young adults are the bridge. They connect the energy of childhood with the wisdom of maturity. Their creativity, service, and leadership help the church remain vibrant and relevant.
Every person who believes Him and calls on His name is, in truth, a child. We all understand that young people have much to learn and work to do to get to where life may lead them. Well, as children of God, we are in exactly the same position: much to learn and lots to do.
I wanted to take a couple of minutes to remind us that we are all still children in God’s eyes, even though our creaking bones, stiff joints, gray hair and poor eyesight may urge us to believe otherwise. But, in spite of that, let us rejoice and be glad that God has chosen to allow us to be His children.
Today, we do however, take a special time to focus on the younger people in that group of children of God. Imagine a small child holding a seed in their hand. To them, it’s just a tiny thing — but to us, we know it holds the potential to grow into a towering tree, providing shade, fruit, and shelter for generations. Children are like that seed. They may be small now, but within them lies the potential to change the world.
Today, on National Children’s Day, we are reminded that God has entrusted us with these precious seeds — not to keep in our pockets, but to plant, nurture, and protect so they can grow into the people He created them to be.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:14 (NIV) When Jesus spoke these words, He was not just making a gentle suggestion. He was declaring the value, dignity, and spiritual importance of children. In a culture where children were often overlooked, Jesus placed them at the center of His teaching. Children reflect the Heart of God. Children remind us of purity, trust, and joy — qualities God desires in all His followers.
In Matthew we read, “‘Jesus called a small child over to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus is responding to a question, asked by the disciples, which appears in verse 1, “Which of us is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” His answer is important because it highlights two important things; a humble faith and the importance of children.
As Jim Kane puts it in his sermon, Kids Count, Jesus makes it clear that a childlike humbleness is essential for ‘greatness in God’s kingdom.’ Louis Pasteur wrote, ‘When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become.’ Bill Vaughn wrote, ‘A three-year-old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm.’ The simple-ness of children is a marvelous thing. A simple faith is a marvelous thing. The disciples were way beyond simple-ness. They were all about competition. Children seem to do a much better job than us about being humble and repentant when they need to be. Children have a way of trusting without hesitation. When a parent says, “I’ll catch you,” they leap without fear. Children also live with wonder. They see beauty in small things: a butterfly, a rainbow, a bedtime story. Children often notice when someone is not being honest, even if they don’t understand why. It’s hard to pull the wool over the eyes of a child. Even if they don’t understand everything they easily pick up on when someone is trying to deceive. There is a story about a little boy in Sunday school who once prayed, “God, thank You for making me small so I can fit in Your arms.” That simple prayer reminds us that children often understand God’s love more deeply than we do. We need to learn and re-learn from them on so many things that God wants from us.
Let us not only celebrate children today but also learn from them — their faith, their honesty, and their ability to forgive quickly. As we celebrate National Children’s Day, remember: every child is a divine assignment. They are not just the future of the church — they are the church today.
From the very beginning, Scripture declares that God created humanity in His own image: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). This means that every person, regardless of background, belief, or circumstance, carries within them a reflection of God’s character — creativity, moral sense, and relational capacity. In God’s eyes, all are children — not by birthright alone, but by His own design and love. In His eyes, all are equal — no one is above or below another in His heart.
So, as we celebrate National Children’s Day, remembering that we are all children of God and with that comes the most awesome blessings, let us keep in mind that we can do these things: Speak Life: Offer words of encouragement to someone younger or older than you today.
Be Present: Attend events that celebrate different age groups, not just your own.
Pray Intentionally: Choose one child, one youth, and one elder to pray for regularly.
Serve Together: Find opportunities where multiple generations can work side by side.
On this National Children’s Day, let us remember: when we honor our children, we honor the God who made them. And when we recognize every member of our congregation, we strengthen the family of faith in which they will grow. Let’s be the kind of church where a child feels seen, a youth feels valued, an adult feels needed, and an elder feels cherished. Because in God’s garden, every flower matters. Let us again be reminded that every person who believes Him and calls on His name is, in truth, a child.
Please pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the beautiful family You have given us in this congregation—children, youth, adults, and elders alike. Today, we celebrate our children as precious gifts from Your hand, and we honor every member who helps them grow in faith. Lord, bless our little ones with joy, curiosity, and a heart that seeks You. Strengthen our youth with courage, wisdom, and a passion for Your truth. Encourage our adults to lead with love and serve with humility. Uphold our elders with peace, honor, and the assurance that their legacy of faith endures. Knit us together as one body, united in Christ, so that our love for one another reflects Your love for the world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
