Let the Little Children Come

Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 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. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (NIV)

I love kids. I have 2 of my own, whom I home school. I used to teach art, and before that I taught in preschools. In church I volunteer to work with children. I like kids and they (usually) like me. I learn so much from children because they believe what God says. Usually when you teach a child something from the Bible they just accept that God said it and it's true.

Take the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I was taught growing up that they were for Bible times, not for today. In 1990 I went to a church that taught me that they are indeed for today, but they put me in a room for hours, praying with me to force me to speak in tongues. Now I go to a well balanced church that teaches that it is for today and that we need the Holy Spirit, but I still don't speak in tongues. When the children were taught about the gifts of the Spirit, several of them spoke in tongues that very day. Why? Child-like faith.

No wonder Jesus said to bring the children to Him. He also said that "anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." They simply believe and want to do what God says to do. Sound too simple for you? Be like a little child and simply believe.

Ephesians 4:29-32
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV)

I happened to open my bible to this passage a few minutes ago. This is one that I have underlined and that I have read many, many times because I need it. Do you know how hard it is to not let ANY unwholesome talk come out of my mouth? I guess you do because you are human just like me. I think I have been learning a little by stages and I figure I will be a work in progress until I get to go to Heaven. Lately I feel totally convicted for jokes and sarcasm that may hurt someone's feelings. If it didn't build that person up, I shouldn't have said it.

Now I am becoming more sensitive to what I shouldn't have said, and I want to get to the point where I realize that I shouldn't say it before I say it! I think that if this skill is mastered perhaps the other problems listed in the verse could be avoided. For instance, if I only say things that build the other person up, I probably won't be as likely to get into a fight. These things just seem to lead to one another.

Manly Men

PSALM 112
"Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in His commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing." (NIV)

As I read this scripture today it struck me that this is God's idea of a manly man. He is a man who fears the Lord. He has no fear BECAUSE he trusts in the Lord. He is generous. He is gracious and compassionate and just. God blesses a godly man. Even his children will be mighty in the land and blessed. I am so blown away at how good God is. When a man is righteous, God does not just bless that man with the riches, wealth, peace, etc., he blesses the man's children. God is so good! We all have to deal with the effects of sin in our lives - the sin that is rampant in the fallen world, the past sins of our parents and past generations, and our own sins. BUT God blesses us when we live for Him. He can break the generational curses and replace them with His blessings!

Catlike Trust

That's trust! My cat Hunter has trusted us thoroughly since he was a kitten. His Mom brought her litter of kittens to us when Hunter was probably about 6 weeks old, and we chose to adopt him and save him from a hard life in the wild. We have always provided for him, always protected him, and always loved him.

We also have 2 sweet dogs, but being true to the nature God built within a dog, one day we left the dogs in the house and went on an errand. When we got back we found our usually sweet dogs absolutely terrorizing Hunter. We thought he was a goner because he had puncture wounds, was absolutely drenched with dog saliva, and would not move but just lie there on the floor hyperventilating. We took him to the emergency vet and we all prayed for him the entire 30 minute drive.

God saved our cat that day, much to our relief. It was truly a miracle. Now here is something amazing: Hunter trusted me so much that when I carried him out to the car he didn't panic and try to get out of my arms. (He is an inside cat.) God kept the dogs from barking to help us out as well. He (like most cats) doesn't want me to hold him for long, but this night he wanted the comfort of my arms all the way to the vet, the entire time he was at the vets and all the way home. Now if you don't believe this is a bonafide miracle yet, listen to this - Hunter isn't one bit afraid of the dogs! In fact they all live in peace! They ask for treats side by side, it's crazy!

When I think of this miraculous story I think of what a picture of faith this paints. God always provides for me, always takes care of me, always loves me. He has saved me from a hard life apart from Him. I need to be like my cat and always trust my Creator, My Saviour and the One who loves more than anyone ever could!

Be Still

Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV)


Is it just me, or do you find it hard to be still? Most of us have schedules that are jammed packed, we fill every waking moment with some kind of input or another and can't even be content with choosing one input at a time. I watch children listen to music or the television while playing a video game. Most adults flip from channel to channel on the TV and on the radio. I know I multi-task any way I can to be sure I get the most done in a day I can. Be still? When!

What's even funnier is when I do try to be still, I find I am really lousy at it. I have to constantly refocus my mind and work at concentrating on listening to God. I don't know if I have ever been really successful. I do try to listen to Him through His Word, however and I know He speaks to me in that way. But I would love to get good at being still so that I can truly KNOW that HE is GOD because I need Him. I have felt like I have been in a desert for a while now. I need a drink from the Holy Spirit and you know what? God knows I need that drink. This morning I read in a devotional book a few scriptures on that very subject:

"I will make springs in the desert, so that my chosen people can be refreshed." Isaiah 43:20, (NLT)

"I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank." Isaiah 44:3-4, (NLT)

"And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness - secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name." Isaiah 45:3 (NLT)


WOW - God will not only provide the water to refresh us right there in the desert, but he will water our fields and He will pour our His blessings and His Spirit on our children. What a comforting promise to know how well He will be taking care of our children. The provision is abundant and they will thrive, not just live! God is so Good! He is also fun and creative, hiding treasures and secret riches so that we can know that God is God.

He has been sending me refreshing water and encouragement over the last few days and I am so grateful to him.