Blessings Friends,
Today’s promise is 1 Peter 2:1-3:
“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
I had a dream that my youngest daughter and I were standing outside a beautiful old abandoned church. I remember telling her what a shame it was that there are so many condemned churches out there, when there are so many people in need of God’s truth and salvation.
A couple of “educated” men joined us and were very condescendingly informing me that some churches just had to be condemned to protect the people.
But this church was made of stone. It was solid, and built to last. All it lacked was someone to preach The Word, and people to receive it.
I think the condemned church represented all the churches out there that are diluting The Gospel to make it more palatable to people—the “feel good church.”
That was the impression I got anyway.
As we were looking around on the inside, an older woman passed us holding the hand of a child. They were singing a Sunday school song I can’t remember now, but my daughter and I began singing, too. And, as we walked on, singing, I began to see more and more children in the church.
It does make sense, because children’s hearts are the most receptive to Jesus. If they are trained up in the truth early, God promised they will not depart from it when they are grown. Children are the future of The Gospel. It’s important we do all we can to see that they know Jesus loves them and has a future for them. Not just our children, but all children. “Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
But, also we are told by Jesus in Matthew 18:3 that unless we become like little children, we will never enter The Kingdom of God! So, what does that mean? It means that we must drop all of our preconceived notions about who God is, and who we are in Him, and seek Him in Spirit and Truth.
When we make up our minds about who God is and what He is capable of, we are creating a god in our own image.
A god that makes life predictable and comfortable for us. A god in a box.
The mind of a child is open and impressionable, quick to believe. For children, the world is full of wonder and the possibilities are endless. I think many believers fear this because the enemy is so crafty and beguiling, it makes them fear. But, fear is of the devil, not of God.
If we take on the full armor of God and pray in The Spirit on all occasions (Ephesians 6:10-18), we have nothing to fear.
Along with The Holy Spirit to guide us, we have been given the greatest weapon of all time: The sword of The Spirit—The Word of God. It is the only weapon that can defeat the father of lies.
Hebrews 12:4:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
And what did Jesus say about His Word?
John 8:30-32:
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'”
God loves revealing Himself to those who earnestly seek Him. He loves showing us who He is and what He can do for us. So, let us lay down the fear that causes us to be idolaters and robs us of a life of joy, wonder, and peace.
Let us take God out of the box and allow Him to transform us, surprise us, and make us say, “WOW! What an awesome God we serve!”
God’s grace and peace be yours,
Rebecca
