As A Child... I Come!

Throw cares away & come to Him as a child

A scripture caught my eye today... "You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive salvation that comes by trusting Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15

The first words "you have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood" really grabbed my attention. I was born into the home of parents serving in full-time Christian ministry. I was a "PK" - a preacher's kid. I was taught the Word from childhood through my entire lifetime at home. 

As I entered young adulthood, did I remain faithful to what I'd been taught? Unfortunately… NO. I too frequently exercised my "free will" to question all the wonderful things that I had learned & seen lived out in my home as I was growing up. God allows that for all of us. We are given the choice to CHOOSE what we want to do. Often lessons are learned in the process. Many of our choices come with consequences - regardless of the lesson learned. 

I've returned to walking daily with God & am so blessed to be in His loving care. However, some of the consequences of past choices can be seen & felt in my life from time to time even now. "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." is told in Mark 10:15. I'm so glad that God suggests for us to have "child-like faith". Sometimes I just need that. Sometimes I just need to let go of past hurts & foolish decisions... and run to Him as a child would! I can come to Him freely, as a little child with no history of rebellion. 

And TODAY, I come to Him as a child. 

"The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and He saved me." Psalm 116:6 NLT

Wars, Rumors of Wars... ALL the Bad Things in This World

Photo taken by T. Getz

Has it seemed to you that we're having a HUGE amount of crazy times these days... political uprisings; horrible weather catastrophes; senseless tragedies; illness, pain, suffering; and so much more?!?! Where's that scripture that talks about the earth groaning as we near the end of time? Anyone know? 

To me, it almost seems like the earth is crying out for Jesus to return. We're often so focused on all the "bad things and/or craziness" happening around us that we are paralyzed to see & do the "good deeds" that have been set before us by God. We read in 1 Corinthians 15:19, "... if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world." We are to set our minds & hearts on things above -- as told in Colossians 3:2. We are not to think that we will only have victory in heaven. 

Sometimes I have to remind myself to take my eyes off this world & keeping my eyes focused on Jesus. He has overcome this world. The battle has been won by Him. He will be my Savior in heaven. He is my Savior here on earth too!