Kids...

When Jesus was on the earth, He took time to minister to little children as well. Where His disciples saw children as a nuisance and being in the way, Jesus welcomed children into His presence.

Jesus recognized the innocence and quick faith that most children have. He saw that if a child is shown early the love of God, they can grow into strong men and women of God. This echoes what the Bible says on training up a child in the right way. When that child grows up, they will continue on that path.

Too often, we too are like the disciples - shooing away or ignoring the little children around us. We see them in a diminished importance, not as relevant as the adults around them. In those actions, we miss out on opportunities to be a part of building the foundation of a strong man or woman of God. How we teach, model, and live Christ in front of these children will impact their own viewpoints on God and Christianity.

We have to be mindful to set the right example. Even if you have no children of your own, you too have the chance to make an impact.You have opportunities to help shape children's lives.

It can be as simple as showing love, or as complex as turning life happenings into teachable moments. It can happen in displaying Christ-like character in the presence of little ones, or helping those little ones model Christ themselves.

Whatever the method, children are an important part of God's Kingdom. Children are our examples of what it means to have faith in God. Children trust blindly and love freely. Children want to please those they love, and they try their best to make those persons happy.

Remembering that we are learning from each other, make sure you don't discount the children in your circle. Take time to engage with them. Tell them about God's love. Show them what it means to be saved.

Verse of the Day: And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16

Partners In Prayer

I am a strong believer in prayer. Prayer connects you with God, and it allows you to hear His voice. Prayer - when done correctly - has a way of calming your emotions and causing you to focus on what's really important.

I find it interesting that in a passage that speaks on effective prayers, we are instructed to confess our sins to each other and pray for one another.

Frankly, sometimes I find it difficult to confess my sins just to God, let alone another person! But, this verse is speaking to the great fellowship and family we are to have as believers. We all should have a confidant in our Christian walk. Some folks call them accountability partners or prayer partners. Whatever the name, we should all have someone who we can be transparent with in our walk with God.

None of us know it all. All of us fall short of God's glory. When we can humbly admit our faults, we are able to grow and change for the better.

On the flip side, when we can listen to someone admit where they've gone wrong and not judge or condemn them... When we can keep their confidence and not go gossip to others... When we can embrace them still in love and bring them up before the Lord... That's when our prayers become effective. That's when our prayers produce results.

Do you have someone with whom you can share your struggles? Is there someone else praying with you about the things you are dealing with? If you don't, ask the Lord to show you another believer that you can trust to stand with you in faith.

Are you a trustworthy person with whom someone can confide in? Are you believing God for someone else's breakthrough and not just your own?

Make sure that you are taking full advantage of the power of prayer. Sometimes you do need another person in your corner. Sometimes it takes the faith of another person standing with you to see something come through.

Verse of the Day: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 (NLT)

Who Are You Following?

It amazes me sometimes how quickly the Body of Christ is turning away from the truths of the Bible. We are turning away from the Truth in order to satisfy our own selfish desires. We are paying more attention to what the world thinks about us and our beliefs than we are paying attention to the Lord.

Even our leaders our compromising the Word of God. They are sanctioning outright sin in some cases and leading God's people away from what is right.

It is so important for us to be on guard. We should always make sure what and who we are following is in agreement with God's Word. The source of what we build our faith on should be God's Word, nothing else and nothing less.

Jesus lamented the state of His people while He was on earth. And a large reason for their position was because of their leaders. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and priests were caught up in rules, money, and status. They were so concerned with their own selfish desires that the people were left wanting both physically and spiritually.

And when the Truth came in their midst, the Jewish leaders were blind. Instead of recognizing Who was among them, they ridiculed Jesus, questioned His teachings, and plotted His demise. There is only the mention of Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who came to Jesus in the cover of night who recognized that Jesus had to have come from the Lord. (John 3:2)

Who are you following? Are they pointing you to the Truth of God or are they compromising the gospel? Are they willing to follow the Word no matter how much it clashes with the world's view? Are they explaining away the Truth of the Bible, or are they holding firmly to what it states?

Make sure that you are following after a leader who follows what God says, not man. You can't afford to compromise... especially when your soul is at stake.

Verse of the Day: Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

Who Do You Look Up To?

Today's a little busy in my corner of the world. I've been running around this school all morning! Thank you, Lord, for the ability to think on my feet!

Joshua had a stellar role model in Moses. Joshua served Moses from when he was young. In serving Moses, Joshua got to see how God miraculously led Israel through the wilderness. He saw how Moses interceded on behalf of the people. He learned how to lead. He discovered how to stay humble while standing on a large platform. He also saw the consequences of disobedience to God.

As a result, when it was Joshua's turn to see with the eyes of the spirit and go forth in his calling, he was able to connect with God and deliver the correct report. Joshua was a stellar student and was able to lead Israel along the right path after Moses' death.

Who do you look up to? Who inspires you to move forward in your purpose? What principles are you gleaning from the mentors in your life?

We all can learn something from someone else. Even someone else's mistake can help us to do better. If you don't have a quality man/woman of God who you can look to for guidance, you need to find someone! If you have that person in your life, be a good student and learn all you can!

God has placed someone ahead of or above you to help your way become smoother. Through their example you will learn what to do. Don't be like those other Israelites who missed out on their Promised Land experience because they never learned their basic lessons. Make sure you are a part of the Joshua generation that has learned how to follow after God!

Verse of the Day: And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. Deuteronomy 34:9