A Devotion from Mr. Jere Beasley

​From:  Jere Beasley 
 
On the evening news we constantly hear about cases where an adult has abused a child in some manner. The abuse can be physical or emotional and both are very bad. It is absolutely impossible to comprehend how any adult could abuse a child. However, it happens quite often. Parents and persons who are in a custodial role must be must be aware of how to detect abuse and must be on guard.
 
It appears that children are abused and mistreated in several different ways, all of which are abhorrent to God. Children have a special place in God’s heart and any person who abuses a child invites God’s wrath. Child abuse in any form is evil and cannot be tolerated.
 
There is a tremendous need for groups and organizations whose mission is to protect children. One such group -- Child Protect, a group heavily involved in the battle against child abuse -- was incorporated in November 1989 as the Children's Advocacy Center. Child Protect serves Montgomery, Autauga, and Elmore counties. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency.
 
Child Protect assists the Department of Human Resources and law enforcement agencies in their investigation of child sexual abuse and child physical abuse. The evidence gathered by Child Protect during forensic interviews is turned over to the District Attorney's office for prosecution. Currently, Child Protect serves two judicial circuits; the 15th, which is Montgomery County, and the 19th, which includes Autauga and Elmore counties. Darryl Bailey is the District Attorney for the 15th Circuit and Randall Houston is the District Attorney in the 19th Circuit. Each of these men does a tremendous job of protecting children and we are most fortunate to have them in office.
 
Jannah Morgan Bailey, the Executive Director of Child Protect, does a tremendous job. Kate Vance, who is the wife of my law partner Gibson Vance, serves on the Board for Child Protect. Kate says: “It is a privilege to serve on the Board of Child Protect.  This is an organization that plays an integral part in protecting children and getting abusers behind bars.  Unfortunately, the need for their services has never been higher.” I totally agree with Kate.
 
We cannot tolerate child abuse and must do whatever it takes to see that our children are protected. I also strongly believe that those who abuse children must be prosecuted to the full extent of the criminal laws.
 
You can contact Jannah at 935 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, by phone at 334-262-1220, or by email at info@childprotect.org to get more information about how you can be of help to Child Protect or to other similar organizations. We must all join in the battle to put a stop to child abuse and it’s one we can’t afford to lose.
 
My prayer today is for each of us to make protecting children a top priority in our lives. There can be no greater calling. These verses will help us.
 
Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3
 
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14
 
See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.  Matthew 18:10
 
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. Mark 9:37
 
And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:2-6
 
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:2-3