Obsolete Children

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.  Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.  1 John 3:1-2

The other day, I read a silly quote that said, “Adults are obsolete children.”  That was written by Dr. Seuss.  I read Dr. Seuss books when I was little.  In fact, I can still recite my favorite quote from his book, ‘Stop That Ball!’  It said, “I whacked it high!  I whacked it low!  I whacked it so hard the string let go!”  There is a far greater lesson for me in remembering this other than a childhood memory.  It is a reminder that the innocence and joy I had as a child is something to aspire to.  It is important that I bring the exuberance, excitement, pure heartedness, and fun loving attitude about my faith like a child.  It is not because being a follower of Christ is fun and games.  Instead, it is knowing there is no better place than to be a child of the wonderful, majestic, and Holy God.

We are to embrace our role of children of God.  I love the letter in first James as today’s verse as it discusses our place as God’s children.  We have the knowledge of knowing Him intimately through His word and His Holy Spirit that dwells within us.  Are there times we will feel like we are in utter darkness and experience fear?  Yes.  Will we be tempted into sin and may at times fail?  Absolutely.  But as God’s children, we have the shining perfected example of our Heavenly Father, and this becomes our guide to righteousness.  We see Jesus as foretold in Isaiah 9:6 as the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  We take on His traits as born again through Christ.  Yet while we continue to grow in Him, we must not lose the child like joy in being with Him.  There is no greater love than Jesus Christ has for us, and to have it, we should feel comfort, peace, warmth, and that feeling when you have an abundance of everything you ever needed.  That’s what it is like to truly understand you are a child of God.

To be a child of God does not come with just personal fulfillment.  It requires us to act.  Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)  The children’s gospel song “This Little Light of Mine,” simply says, “This little light of mine.  I’m gonna let it shine!”  As God’s children, we contain His light within.  We in kind must let it shine with brightly inspired by the energy all children possess.  What is taking away your child-like passion for Christ?  How can you better embrace the idea of being a child of God?  My prayer is that we go joyously in our journey of faith and not become ‘obsolete Children.’  Amen.  

Encouraged and Motivated

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.  Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Yesterday, my wife tells me that I do not want to spend time with her.  I look incredulous.  This is the woman I have spent over thirty years my life getting to know, and I absolutely have so much fun talking and being with her.  But I must have done something wrong that I need to address, right?  Then, my daughter decides she does not want to talk to me about school.  Parents, you might know this drill very well.  Kent asks, “How was school today?”  Daughter answers, “Fine.”  Kent asks, “What happened?”  Daughter responds, “Nothing.”  Great!  She is in ‘one word answer’ mode.  This sounds like fun!  So I am now coming home to a wife who feels unloved and a daughter who looks at me like I’m Hannah Montana now converted into Miley Cyrus.  And now I’m supposed to write a devotional?  What could I possibly write about?  Let’s try . . . encouragement and motivation?

We are to be both encouraged and motivated always knowing that we have been given this most precious gift of eternal life.  Some of us might ask ourselves why life is not fair or why we are dealing with such anguish and strife.  However as Paul points out, it could be far worse.  God did not choose to pour out His wrath on us like the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah, the floods of Noah’s time, the fall of Israel at the hands of Babylon, or other possibilities.  In fact, he chose to offer His son so that we might be able to live up to the hope that He has for each and every one of us; that our faith and love might be on fire like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego for Him sharing the message of Christ and encouraging others.  So while we may lament in the troubles of this world, we serve a most awesome and almighty God, who would look at each of us and say, “I believe in you even if you might not yet believe in yourself.”  How can one not be encouraged knowing this?

It is incredibly difficult to be enthusiastic when there are so many things working against us, but we should not be discouraged.  Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows, But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b).  So while you may have trials and sorrows, I would encourage you saying God is with you every step of the way.  He is true to His word, and will never either leave or forsake you.  Furthermore as Paul says, be encouraging to others for God may be prompting you for His purpose.  How can God’s undying love and faith in you be of encouragement today?  Who can you encourage with the message of Good News?  My prayer is that God’s faithfulness be of both encouragement to you and motivation for you.  Amen.

Thurs Devo: Why??? Why???

Toddlers can ask lots of “why” questions. After a while, it can become frustrating, especially if you’ve answered the same question time and time again! Well, the Israelites were far worse than the annoying toddler.

Numbers 20:2-5      ² Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. ³ They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! ⁴ Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? ⁵ Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”

Why are the Israelites asking “why?” If they stopped to think for a moment, then they could answer their own questions. First, God had provided water in the desert multiple times in the past, so they could trust Him to provide this time, too. Second, God brought them into the wilderness to free them from the oppressive Egyptians AND to give them a bountiful country-land of their very own. Third, traveling through the wilderness was the means by which God would prepare them and bring them to the promised land. Fourth, the fact that they were still in the wilderness was not Moses’ fault, but a result of their own rebellion and distrust of God (see Numbers 14).

If the Israelites had stopped focusing on and dramatizing their immediate circumstances and focused instead on who God is and His faithfulness in the past, then I think their attitude would have been quite different. Instead of complaining, passing the blame, and asking “why” questions, they could have asked how and what questions. How would God address their situation? What did God want them to do to participate in the solution?

Are you and I more like the Israelites and annoying toddlers, asking “why” questions when we already know (or should know) the answer?

Or, do you and I truly know God’s character and trust His faithfulness? If so, our attitude and prayers will reflect this.

Alice