Becoming Like Children

During the prayer meeting last Wednesday night, my wife, Michelle and I volunteered to spend an hour with the children while their parents are in the prayer meeting praying to God for those hurting, depressed, oppressed, afflicted, weak and sick. We worked with the children making get-well-cards and we're-praying-for-you-cards. This is the first time, in almost 3 or 4 years since the launch of the prayer meeting, we're doing this in effort to teach our children the importance of thinking of others in their times of trials.

Michelle and I sat down explaining the reason for this "new project" and assigned each names we're praying for to each children. We had glue, crayons, crafts, construction papers, Christian symbols and many more. The kids, tireless, focused their energies on this project and asked us questions such as, "When will they get better?", "Why aren't they coming to church?", "Will they love God like we do?" and the list is endless! You know! They're kids asking neat questions! These questions made them think and made us think, too! These will apply to themselves in the future when they become teens, 20-something, 30's, 40's and on!

Just at the end of the hour-long project, one of my daughters became frustrated that she didn't finish her project in time (it was her second card-work) and just barked at me telling me to finish it. I didn't like the tone and expression of my girl, especially when she's giving this kind of negative influence on other girls in the room. Gently, I instructed her the proper way to behave and be an example to other girls. She humbly apologized and "rephrased" her question in a more gentle and fruitful way, "Dad, can you finish this for me, pleeeeeeze!!" (laughing) Certainly!

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3-4 (NIV)

If you are a child of God, be like an earthly child, sweet, innocent and subjective to correction. In today's society, Christians (deaf and hearing) have problems humbly accepting correction. When a child of God becomes defensive against correction and offensive with belittling words, they aren't a child but a brute beast growling, clawing and snapping back. So what should every child of God do?

A child desires the sincere milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:2).
As children, be harmless and inoffensive, avoid malice (1 Corinthians 14:20).
As children, governable, and under command (Galatians 4:2).
The child of a gentleman will play the child of a beggar ("..but be willing to associate with people of low position." Romans 12:16).
And lastly, we should, in like manner, behave and quiet ourselves (Psalms 131:1-2).

Father, we thank You for this rainy day! You have blessed us, abundantly, with water for us to drink, for the plants to grow, for the food we eat and many more. We can't never say enough to express our thanks for everything! They all came from You. God, we ask that You help each of your children to learn the importance of humility. That includes me, Lord! Let us keep our eyes on the children, watching and learning how they humbly respond to correction. Jesus loves them! When we behave like the little children, Jesus will love us! Thank You, Lord, for this message. In Jesus' Name, Amen!