Let the Children Come

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." ~~Mark 10:13-15 NIV

Let the little children come to Jesus!

Summer’s here! School’s out and now Vacation Bible School’s are launching in churches in all our cities. My community is not any different. This week is VBS week for our church.

In the Scriptures, parents brought their children to Jesus for Him to touch them. Perhaps they wanted a blessing from Jesus or maybe they were in need of a healing. But they wanted them to go to Jesus.

I wonder. . .do parents see our churches as an extension of Jesus when they bring their children to VBS? Or is it viewed as free morning for them to go shopping, run errands or not to have to pay for day care?

I feel convinced that Jesus receives the children regardless of the reason the parents bring them to VBS. These little ones don’t need intellect as much as they need to feel loved, accepted and receive a gentle touch from people who care. No matter what reason the children come, let us not hinder them from meeting Jesus at VBS. They will be blessed!

Just maybe then the children will share the gentle, caring touch they receive at VBS with their parents. It is possible the children will share the scriptures with their parents. The Word of God is a seed planted in spirits. We can pray that God sends someone to water the seed and HE will bring in the harvest. Who knows how many lives VBS can reach directly and indirectly for Jesus? Let’s support the Vacation Bible School’s in our communities this summer. That’s where I’ll be this week—with the little children who come.

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. ~~ Mark 10:16 NIV

Engrafted by His Grace--

Funny Cats

I enjoy having cats as pets. I came across this funny cat video on YouTube which made me laugh through it all.

A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. ~~Proverbs 17:22 MSG



Engrafted by His Grace--

All Joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. ~~ James 1:2-8 NIV

Several words stand out to me in the above passage: joy, trials, testing, perseverance, mature, wisdom, believe and receive.

What does James mean that we can count it a joy when we face trials and testing? Going through trials and tribulations hurt. I confess I tend to lean on the worrier and anxious side of life. All the “what ifs” start piling up on me like a heavy backpack that I keep stuffing with more “what ifs.” Then, before I know it, the burden is too heavy. I fall. I start unloading “what ifs” at the cross, but I still hold onto some and get up again.

Then this morning the thought came to me, What if everything I’m worried about, the Lord has allowed to come to me? What if the Lord is using these situations to grow me? What if I sing praise to HIM allowing Him to work out the worries and direct my steps?

Here are my thoughts as I meditated on those words this morning:

First, count it a joy. I can be joyful because I’m growing in Christ.

Second, trials and testing keeps my seeking my God through my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Third, perseverance comes. I must keep on keeping on. The love of the Lord drives me to not quit.

Fourth, I’m maturing in Christ as I keep my eyes on HIM. I’m growing up in our Lord as I never give up on what He’s called me to do—to be a wife, mother, and teacher.

Fifth, God gives wisdom. When facing tests and trials, we need wisdom in how to respond. God gives us that wisdom.

Sixth, Believe God. God is faithful and I can trust HIM to do what His word says He will do.

Seventh, receive from God. He promises rewards to those who persevere. I will hold onto HIM to receive what He has for me. What He gives is eternal.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ~~ James 1:12 NIV

After meditating on those seven words from scripture, I’m ready to unpack my backpack at the cross. I’m lifting my hands up high toward the heavens and shouting praises to my Lord and King. I know I will persevere, mature and receive wisdom as I believe in my Lord. I will count it all joy!

Engrafted by His Grace--

Wednesday Worship - You Take Me Back

Engrafted by His Grace--

Be Alert

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ~~ 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Chase loves to play baseball. In baseball runners are allowed to steal bases to advance. In order to steal, the runner has to watch his opponent waiting for the right time to take advantage of his opportunity. Different leagues have different rules about leading off (stepping off the base to get a head start). In Little League, there are no lead offs. The runner must not leave the base until the pitch has been thrown and the ball crosses the home plate. Also, the runner may not run if the pitcher is on the mound with the ball.

While observing this sport this season, I’ve noticed that a runner on third will watch the pitch, wait for it to cross the plate and he’ll step off a few steps hoping the catcher will miss and the pitcher won’t run up to cover. This runner is just looking for an opportunity to put a run on the board. This is where it is important for the catcher and pitcher to be alert—keeping their eye on the runner. In one game, I saw the catcher return the ball to the pitcher. As the pitcher turned around (not watching the runner on third) and moped back to the mound, disgruntled about his last pitch, the runner took off and stole home.

The Scriptures warns us to be alert as we have an enemy who waits for an opportunity to advance his way into our homes. If we turn our backs on him because we’re frustrated with the way we’re living our life, the devil will pounce on us like a lion. We must be self-controlled and alert.

To be self-controlled we must live a life of obedience and repentance. Yes, the pitcher threw a bad pitch. And yes, we make bad decisions. But if we mope around in those bad choices, the enemy will steal home on us. We must repent and get on with the game. To be alert, we cannot allow a bad pitch cause us to let our guard down. There have been times in my life that I got so caught up in one particular situation; I let other areas in my life slide. The enemy takes advantage of those times.

Let’s live a controlled and alert life keeping the evil one from taking advantage of us today.

Engrafted by His Grace--