Become as Little Children

Word for the Week: Child of God
Bible Verse: Matthew 18:3-4 NKJV

Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.



Care-free
Little children don't care what kind of clothes they wear, or what kind of car their mom or dad brings them to school in. They don't care what neighborhood they live in or what kind of house they live in. They don't care whether someone is tall, short, skinny or fat; they see beauty in everyone and everything. Little children never worry about what other people think of them; they are unaware of social expectations. They don't pretend to be something they're not; they simply are happy to be themselves without any reservations.

Humble
I love to teach little children; they are full of wonder and excitement. When it comes to learning, they are like sponges, soaking up everything you provide for them to discover, investigate and experience. As they grow quickly in their knowledge and skills, they want more! More challenges, more discoveries, more experiences. Little children never think they know everything. They never think they are more important than anyone else.

Innocent
Little children are blameless. They do not intentionally cause frustration. They do not plot and plan someone else's demise. They don't gossip. They honestly express what they see, hear, and feel. Little children never think or do evil things.

Loveable
Little children love to be loved. They love to sit close to you and talk. They love to walk with you and hold hands. They love to look into your eyes and smile. They love to call your name and hear you answer. They love to lay their head on your shoulder and feel your arms around them. They love to be friends. Little children never refuse to love or be loved. They always seek to be in a loving relationship.

Dependent
Little children know they need help. When they are scared or hurt they cry and ask to be comforted. When they need help to accomplish something, they ask for assistance. When they don't know the answer, they ask for instruction. When they need to be reassured, they ask for words of encouragement. When they are hungry, they ask to be fed. Little children depend on others for help; they don't hesitate to ask or worry about what others think. Little children never think less of others for needing help. In fact, they love to help.

My Prayer
Lord, please help me to become as a little child; I fall short in so many areas. Help me to overcome the worries and fears that stand in my way. Help me to turn away from behaviors that cause harm to others. Help me to embrace who I am, and to reach out to others for what I need help with. Help me to always seek to be in loving relationship with those you've placed in my life. Help me to honestly express what I see, hear and feel. Help me to always be willing to learn and grow. Help me to not think more of myself than I really am. Help me to be authentic.

Thank you Jesus for your love and mercy. Thank you for accepting and loving me just the way I am.

Care free - My Father is in control. He gives me what I need, when I need it.

Humble - I am weak, but He is strong.

Innocent - Though my sins be scarlet, He washes me whiter than snow.

Loving - My Father loves me just the way I am, and I love Him.

Dependent - My Father will never leave or forsake me, no matter what.

by S.Hunt Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved

Mary Magdalene - Part 3

And Jesus said...

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

John 20:29 NKJV

How much more pain could Mary Magdalene's heart endure? She was lost; confused. Nothing made any sense - She didn't know where her Savior was and she needed to find Him.

When the others she had told came to see the empty tomb, they left perplexed and went home. But Mary Magdalene stayed at the tomb seeking to know where Jesus was.

I can only imagine the joy that filled her heart when she heard Jesus call her name -

"Mary!"

She knew His voice; He was alive!

She must have thought of that day in the garden many times through out her life time-

She must have shared the experience with others as well. Did it matter if they believed her? Did it matter what they said? No, nothing could change what Mary Magdalene knew.

The "Truth" she experienced in the garden that day by the tomb would live in her heart forever; Jesus was alive!

The "Life" she experienced from that day forward, living each day spiritually connected with her Savior, would sustain her. It didn't matter that she couldn't physically walk with her dearest friend; He lived in her heart. She knew all the things Jesus had said were true; He had promised He would never leave or forsake her. Every day for the rest of her life she knew His promise was true; He was with her.

There was no doubt in her mind now; she knew the "Way". Deep down in her heart she knew Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. She remembered His promise, "Where I am, there you may be also." She knew someday she would see her Savior again, face to face. His death made the way, His resurrection opened the door for anyone who believed. She knew now, not even death could separate her from the Savior, Christ Jesus.

Copyright 2007 S.Hunt All Right Reserved

Mary Magdalene Part 2

...these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 NKJV

The weight of loneliness and despair grew; Mary Magdalene watched as the stone was rolled up against the entrance of the tomb; sealing the body of Jesus inside.

Puddles of tears blurred her vision; the cold hard stone beneath her fingertips stood between her and the Savior. The silence was deafening - He's gone.

It must of all seemed like a bad dream. Memories of Jesus flooded her mind through out the sleepless night. There had been such a celebration just a few days before when Jesus rode into the city. People greeted His arrival with joy as they paved the road with their clothes and palm branches. She could still hear the voices crying out "Hosanna".

She remembered the words He had spoken, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.." How confused she must have been. Jesus was gone, what did she have left to hope in? Yet she still felt a strong connection even though His lifeless body lay behind the stone; it was as though He was still with her. But how could this be?

Sabbath, the day of rest was over. As Mary Magdalene walked down the road in the early morning to the tomb, she remembered all the times she and the other women Jesus saved, had followed Him to the cities and the countryside to listen to Him teach and the many times they ministered to Him by preparing food and drink. The joy still lingered in her heart from those moments she spent with her dearest friend.

The memories of Jesus brought comfort to her aching heart. Death wasn't strong enough to stamp out her joy; her life-changing experience; the spiritual connection with her Savior. These treasures would forever remain in her heart.

With spices in hand, she made her way down the dewy garden path. She had come to minister to Jesus even though he lay lifeless. Why? Because it was what she had done in days past; it was an act of love.

The light was beginning to peak over the horizon; the tomb was in sight. The stone had been moved. A sharp, hot searing pain pierced her raw heart; the tomb was empty.

Copyright 2007 S.Hunt All Rights Reserved