John 3:16 in a Surrey Cycle

A friend and I were doing a power walk along the beach promenade when along came four people riding a surrey cycle.  As they slowly peddled by I overheard one of them reciting John 3:16 aloud.  She stumbled through it, stopped and started over.

My friend called to her, “Sounds good!  You almost have it!”

They circled around and pulled to a stop.  “I’m trying to learn a Bible verse.” She looked at me and said, “Hey! I remember you!  I stopped at your Bible table yesterday and you gave me a Bible!  I want you to meet my daughter,  her fiance’ and my son.  They were just baptized and we are celebrating!”

I said, “I do remember you!  Congratulations on your baptisms!  I’m glad to see you’re memorizing John 3:16.  But don’t forget verses 17 and 18 as well!  You know the Bible tells us to teach our children God’s word and I started teaching John 3:16-18 to my babies when they were newborn.  I looked at the engaged couple:  “Someday you may have a baby in your life. Would you like to hear how I did it?”  They smiled and nodded.

I said, “Changing diapers was my favorite time to recite Scripture to my babies. I’d speak with lots of expression:  ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. YES!  That whosoever believes on Him should not perish, NO!  But should have everlasting life. YES!  God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, NO!  But that the world might be saved through Him, YES!  He who believes in Him is not condemned, NO!  But he who does not believe is condemned already. WHY?  Because he has not believed on the NAME of the only begotten son of God.  John 3:16,17 and 18.’

“Even though babies don’t understand the words, when they are just a few weeks old they will become very still and listen.  Some months later they will begin to say ‘YES’ and ‘NO’ at just the right time.  By the time they are talking they will also be reciting these verses along with other Scripture you teach them, such as Proverbs 3:5-6 and the Lord’s Prayer.  Our kids are now grown, but they still know the value of keeping God’s Word in their hearts.”

The mother looked at the engaged couple and said, “Isn’t that great?  We’re gonna remember that, aren’t we!”  They thanked us.  With smiles and waves they said goodbye.  We could hear her reciting John 3:16 as they pedaled away.

• Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.   Deuteronomy 11:18-19
• JOHN 3:16-18 put to music – Click here to listen: 

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  This life is temporary.  This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:   http://www.godlife.com/gospel/
  

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