Sneezies and Coughies ... Yet Again!
AAAAAAAAAAAAChooooo!!!!!!!! Hello All! Hope I didn't spread too many cyber germs just now with that HUGE sneeze. Yes, once again, I am sick. I only wonder why it continues to happen when I get time off? haha No complaints! I am officially........ OFF FOR 2 WEEKS! How awesome is that? If you don't teach, you'll have to trust me on this.... because there couldn't be a more amazing Christmas gift for me this year! I have been so worn down and stressed out (hence the cold again) these past few weeks that I have gladly welcomed the time off. Yesterday, I woke up with a major sore throat, but unlike those with careers that do not involve little children's high hopes, it was impossible for me to call in. I had promised my 4th graders that we would drink tons of hot chocolate, eat tons of sugar, watch the polar express, open gifts from me and Lighthouse Missions, and sing.... sing.... sing Christmas Carols! Now, imagine a sore throat singing high pitched Christmas Carols..... God blessed me and I did it. My kids even commented on "how awesome Ms. Alesha sings!" They are blessed because, other than my family and folks sitting near me in church, they are the ONLY ones that I sing in front of. Anyway, yesterday was extremely stressful and I was exhausted when I finally finished, but it was worth it.
Why am I spending all this time talking about little kids and hot cocoa? Well, I realize that some of my readers are my age or younger and childless. I also realize that some of you have young children, maybe even grandchildren. Regardless, here's my request to you..... take the time to watch a child this Christmas.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHILD?
Children have tons of characteristics such as:
* They get anxious and excited easily over simple things!
* They are humble.
* They use simple things to touch a heart.
* They get over things easily.
* They live today like tommorrow will never come, but in a good way.
* They choose enjoyable things over mundane things.
* They don't have to be persuaded to believe.
WHAT DO THESE THINGS HAVE TO DO WITH US?
Well, actually, quite a bit. God instructs us to come unto Him like little children. Notice some of the times that He speaks of or to the "little children" in the Bible:
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Why am I spending all this time talking about little kids and hot cocoa? Well, I realize that some of my readers are my age or younger and childless. I also realize that some of you have young children, maybe even grandchildren. Regardless, here's my request to you..... take the time to watch a child this Christmas.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHILD?
Children have tons of characteristics such as:
* They get anxious and excited easily over simple things!
* They are humble.
* They use simple things to touch a heart.
* They get over things easily.
* They live today like tommorrow will never come, but in a good way.
* They choose enjoyable things over mundane things.
* They don't have to be persuaded to believe.
WHAT DO THESE THINGS HAVE TO DO WITH US?
Well, actually, quite a bit. God instructs us to come unto Him like little children. Notice some of the times that He speaks of or to the "little children" in the Bible:
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
This is a key word from God when thinking about those childlike characteristics above. God tells us to become like little children. Little children easily believe in Santa Claus right? Notice, they easily believe in Jesus. It isn't extremely hard to lead a child to salvation. Jesus tells us that in order for us to be saved, we have to "become as little children", in other words, we have to believe, be humble, be excitable, be happy, etc like little children when we are approached with our salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection. Often, we lose these qualities as we become "seasoned Christians." Anyone that truly gets saved does have the qualities of a child. They are humble because they are saying to God, "I can't do this on my own. I am breaking down and admitting it" and they are believing that JESUS is the only way to get to Heaven. Then they get excited. Now, some folks are excited in different ways, but anyone that has ever been Saved has been (and hopefully still is) excited. So since we have these qualities when we get Saved, why should we lose them as we become a "seasoned Christian?" Easy answer! We shouldn't! 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Matthew 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:14 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.
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:14 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.
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
NOTICE HOW JESUS SCOLDS THOSE THAT TRY TO TURN THE CHILDREN AWAY? WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM OUR SAVIOR.
John 13:33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
NOTICE HOW MANY TIMES THAT ADULTS ARE REFERED TO AS "LITTLE CHILDREN" IN GOD'S WORD? WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM A CHILD'S HEART.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
NOTICE HOW MANY TIMES THAT ADULTS ARE REFERED TO AS "LITTLE CHILDREN" IN GOD'S WORD? WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM A CHILD'S HEART.
So in conclusion (I feel like I am writing a portfolio piece in high school again by using this closing), over this Christmas season I encourage you to observe a child. Notice the pureness of their hearts and the easily excitable nature. Watch their eyes as they listen to the Christmas story and listen to their answers when they are asked questions about the birth of Jesus. They WILL answer matter of factly and it is all because they believe. One more thing to ponder on, God didn't send Jesus to earth as an adult, rather as a tiny baby. If God takes the time to put that much emphasis on the beginning years of life as a child, why do we often forget to do the same? And why would we ever mutter the words "Grow up" to anyone? Should we really wish that on anyone? Just a thought for you and I, both, to ponder in this Christmas season.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment