Finding Our Inner Child

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15

Christmas, birthday parties, amusement parks, trick-or-treating, Disney movies, Easter egg hunts, certain words or combinations of words bring back childhood memories.

We were all once children. My three-year-old granddaughter sometimes asks me: Were you a baby?

It is hard to believe when you hit old age and all that comes with it that we were ever children or babies. Nevertheless, we all were once upon a time.

My maternal grandmother in her old age had a curio cabinet filled with baby dolls. She would occasionally take one out and hold it and look it over. Her countenance was transformed and took on the appearance of a little girl again. It was beautiful to behold. Joy can do that, even to those of us growing gray and wrinkled.

Jesus said we must be like children to enter His kingdom. At first glance His words seem inconceivable. Like when Jesus told Nicodemus one must be born again, and the Pharisee could not comprehend turning back the clock and entering the womb a second time. Neither can we reverse the aging process and relive our childhood, no matter how much we might wish to do so.

Childlike faith and joy are a gift from God. The world makes us hard and jaded, cold and lifeless. But the Spirit of God revives us, fills us with joy, and opens our heart to the possible and impossible.

Finding our inner child is possible only through opening our hearts and minds to joy, to God. Put aside your unbelief and dare to believe that God has more in store for you than your wildest imagination could ever conjur. Ask God to fill you with joy and faith and the goodness of God. Allow God to help you find your inner child.

Prayer: Dear Lord, give us childlike faith and joy. Renew within us the courage to believe in the impossible, for with You all things are possible. Amen.

Your Suffering Gives You Credibility

“He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things'” Luke 24: 46-48

    Did you know that Jesus calls people in all occupations and from every walk of life to become His disciples? This wide variety of people from so many different places and differing lives each have the ability to reach people for Christ. 

    Those of us who have suffered and survived illness and disease come from a particular walk of life that gives us the ability to reach ill and hurting people who others cannot fully relate to.

     You might think, what can we do when we can barely leave our sick beds or step outside of our houses? I believe we can do something for Christ whether we can climb out of our bed, or are barely able to get out into the wide world.

    We can witness about the goodness of God, even in our affliction.

    You see a wealthy preacher on television with excellent health, and no problems to speak of. He can promise lots of things to ill people, but he has no idea what they are actually going through, and perhaps has very little empathy for something he little understands.

    However, you and I understand. We can empathize, and we can encourage people to place their faith in Christ because we know what it means to have His help and comfort in our affliction.

    You are a powerful witness as a survivor of affliction. Take that power and witness to others who are downcast and hurting. Nothing is more fruitful than that.

    Few people in life are completely untouched by loss, disease, and suffering. Use your pain to connect with those who are suffering and enduring hardship.

    You can reach people who are hurting because you know what pain and suffering feels like. You know how meaningful it is to feel the peace and presence of Jesus in your Afflictions.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to always lift Your name high, even when we are feeling very low. Amen.

Lighting Up The Darkness

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

People need Light. Some people need light more than others. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is an illness that comes from a lack of sunlight. In Winter months when sunlight is diminished, those affected by SAD become depressed and miserable from the darkness.

People in northern areas of the world suffer the most from a lack of light due to their long winters living in the northern hemisphere. For instance, people in Denmark with their very long and dark Winters have learned to use lots of lights and to leave them on to cheer up themselves and those around them.

Darkness is a problem in this world. Not just long winters in cold climates, but in the lives of many who suffer from a darkness in their souls. They seek to fill up that darkness with pleasure, fame, material things, and people, hoping to bring light into their own darkness. 

There is one true Light in this dark world and His name is Jesus. He brings light into the darkest heart and the most hopeless places and situations. A lamp in the night is a wonderful thing, but the light of Jesus in the heart of one who surrenders themselves to God is the most beautiful light of all.

If your life is filled with darkness, if you have never invited the Savior into your heart, ask Him in. Ask Jesus to become the light of your life and to drive away your darkness.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we live in a dark world that needs You badly. Come into our darkness and replace it with the light of Your Love. Amen.