Do you ever read the bible and mentally jump over passages that seem to have little significance only later fining out how much wealth of wisdom they actually have. This happened to me the other day while teaching a large group of 6 - 9 year old little girls.
Here is the passage:
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
Here is how it happened:
Each year I am asked to be the speaker at this camp in Brownwood, Texas. To be honest it is one of the highlights of my year as a "speaker., for the fact that these girls are so raw in their faith. Every year I give them the opportunity to ask me anything they want about Jesus, God, the Scriptures, etc. I am always surprised at the level of their questioning. Some of their questions this last week included:
- What is the Bible for?
- What did it look like before God created everything?
- Where did God come from?
- How did he choose his disciples?
- How did we get the Bible?
After answering the questions and before entering the message I prayed. As I was praying, God totally blew up the Matthew 19 passage above. He revealed to me a little insight of the contextually interaction on the Matthew 19 passage.
As Peter and the others were trying to keep the young children from distracting, Jesus knew exactly that these little ones were exactly what the disciples needed to hear, and truly it would be shown to the disciples that they were the ones that were in the way of the little children.
Picture the scene with me:
The disciples were busy doing "ministry" when all of a sudden these little ones began running up to Jesus. Quickly the disciples stepped in and took charge, knowing that Jesus had many important tasks to do without these kids bothering him. To the disciples' surprise Jesus makes a bold statement telling the guys that they need to allow the kids to approach him. So you have Jesus fronting Peter and the others by rebuking them. In this rebuke you know Peter and the others were peeved at Jesus. I mean after all they were trying to help him. I believe they were peeved until they begin to see the interaction of the little kids with Jesus. All the questions, all the joy, the love, freedom. As the disciples were taking all of this in, they totally had to see why Jesus wanted them to allow the little kids to be around him. That day, I am sure that the disciples learned alot not only from their Rabbi but even more from his interaction with the little kids that were surrounding him!
This was so fresh to me when God showed it to me. I hope this helps us all remember to take time for the littles ones that surround us daily.
Peace until next time!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
THe Journey Begins
We are in a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale about to hit the bed for some "shut eye" before a long day tomorrow! A long day that begins with many questions and at the end will have some answers. Traveling to Haiti for the past few years we have met some wonderful people that we have come to love. But tomorrow brings a new part of Haiti that we have not visited and we will meet new people that we have only talked to on the phone and played email tag!
Goodnight to what we have known to only include questions that will slowly bring answers in the next few days!
Mom is going through the bags, TK is flipping through TV Channels and I am about to hit the bed!
Stay tuned for the answers that await.
Goodnight to what we have known to only include questions that will slowly bring answers in the next few days!
Mom is going through the bags, TK is flipping through TV Channels and I am about to hit the bed!
Stay tuned for the answers that await.
Monday, May 16, 2011
A dare to all the dads...
Dads:
I dare you all to begin something radically transforming tonight. After dinner have all your kiddos join you in the living room and ask them the following question:
1. "How do we make God know to those around us?"
Allow them time to respond and then read the following...
The answer lies within John 15:8
We are to make God known by producing fruit!
2. "Then ask, what kind of fruit are we to produce?"
Again, giving them time to respond...
A great example is Matthew 5: 43-47
Encourage them to share other ways they could produce fruit as followers of Christ.
Close out by asking your kids how you can pray for them. Then gather closely, holding hands is even better, and pray over your children.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dads...
Whether this time lasted 5 minutes or 45 minutes, we have to start somewhere in nurturing our children in the way of the Jesus we say we follow. We must take the lead in doing this. Remember there is an all out attack upon the family by Satan and his demons. We must, as spiritual leaders of our home, take charge of bringing our kids up!
I hope you all experience some great times within this simple bible study with your kiddos.
Please share your time together with me at jmbarnes1975@gmail.com
Praying for you all!
I dare you all to begin something radically transforming tonight. After dinner have all your kiddos join you in the living room and ask them the following question:
1. "How do we make God know to those around us?"
Allow them time to respond and then read the following...
The answer lies within John 15:8
We are to make God known by producing fruit!
2. "Then ask, what kind of fruit are we to produce?"
Again, giving them time to respond...
A great example is Matthew 5: 43-47
Encourage them to share other ways they could produce fruit as followers of Christ.
Close out by asking your kids how you can pray for them. Then gather closely, holding hands is even better, and pray over your children.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dads...
Whether this time lasted 5 minutes or 45 minutes, we have to start somewhere in nurturing our children in the way of the Jesus we say we follow. We must take the lead in doing this. Remember there is an all out attack upon the family by Satan and his demons. We must, as spiritual leaders of our home, take charge of bringing our kids up!
I hope you all experience some great times within this simple bible study with your kiddos.
Please share your time together with me at jmbarnes1975@gmail.com
Praying for you all!
Monday, April 25, 2011
A Modern Day Nehemiah Prayer
Oh Lord, God of heaven and earth, the bringer of salvation to the Jew and Gentile through Jesus the Messiah, the fulfiller of your tangible love through grace and mercy. God through Jesus the one mediator may you hear this prayer of a seeking heart to fulfill the greatness of your love to others.
God I confess the apathy of we, as followers formed together as a church. The lack of interest in reaching the orphan, widow, and oppressed. God the lack of passion of our neighbors around our towns, counties, states, nations, and world. We have not obeyed the greatest call to love You with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. In not fulfilling the greatest commandment of loving You, we have no hope of expressing the commandment of loving our neighbor.
God, do not forget the promise that YOUR Son Jesus stated, “II tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” God you have given us the Holy Spirit to live out these truths of taking a Kingdom that is not like any other we have ever heard of before. God a Kingdom built on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. A Kingdom that battles the forces of evil in the realms that we do not see. God about bringing a Kingdom built upon the blood of Jesus Christ and His surrendering love.
God may you hear this prayer for the sake of others. God remove the “contact scales” that we place upon our eyes daily, in which we use to shield our eyes from the hurting and downcast!
May we stop the cancer of apathy! God call forth your modern day Nehemiah’s to go out and start rebuilding that which we have so long left unfinished!
God I confess the apathy of we, as followers formed together as a church. The lack of interest in reaching the orphan, widow, and oppressed. God the lack of passion of our neighbors around our towns, counties, states, nations, and world. We have not obeyed the greatest call to love You with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. In not fulfilling the greatest commandment of loving You, we have no hope of expressing the commandment of loving our neighbor.
God, do not forget the promise that YOUR Son Jesus stated, “II tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” God you have given us the Holy Spirit to live out these truths of taking a Kingdom that is not like any other we have ever heard of before. God a Kingdom built on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. A Kingdom that battles the forces of evil in the realms that we do not see. God about bringing a Kingdom built upon the blood of Jesus Christ and His surrendering love.
God may you hear this prayer for the sake of others. God remove the “contact scales” that we place upon our eyes daily, in which we use to shield our eyes from the hurting and downcast!
May we stop the cancer of apathy! God call forth your modern day Nehemiah’s to go out and start rebuilding that which we have so long left unfinished!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Rethinking "God's Will"
Enriched, empowered, refreshed...all words synonmyous with the feelings I have when I leave the Edward's home on Sunday nights after spending time with a group of misfits that love Jesus in their own unique way. In so many ways I feel that this group of guys are so close to the group of fishermen, tax collectors, etc. that followed the Messiah 2,000 years ago. I love you all!
I mention them for the fact of the topic that came up last night! They are all in the middle of seeking "God's will" for their lives as it pertains to college and life beyond high school. As we dialogued about this for a while something struck me. I have heard it prayed so often and I myself have prayed it so often, but truly is it accurate.
For example:
Dear Jesus, Please show me your will concerning this or that. In Jesus name, AMEN!
But truly is God's will something we have to pray for or is it something that is just "there!?!?!" Is it something we seek out or is it something we live within.
In John 15 Jesus says that "He is the vine and we are the branch..." He states that if we remain in Him we will produce "much fruit." He then continues by stating, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you."
Ask whatever you wish and it will be given! Do you see this? Jesus is saying when we are living within HIM, living out who He was while He was upon this earth, we receive what we ask for! Why? Because we are desiring He desires(ed).
Stay with me...
So, when we are praying for God's will are we missing the boat. Instead of praying for God's will, should we be praying and seeking the abiding in Christ and we will be in HIS will no matter what!
Recently I was sitting with two people and they were talking about seeking "God's will" whether they are right for each other! Is this accurate approach or should they seek greater to abide in Christ and this sought "will" for their life will come to them?
Just a thought...
I mention them for the fact of the topic that came up last night! They are all in the middle of seeking "God's will" for their lives as it pertains to college and life beyond high school. As we dialogued about this for a while something struck me. I have heard it prayed so often and I myself have prayed it so often, but truly is it accurate.
For example:
Dear Jesus, Please show me your will concerning this or that. In Jesus name, AMEN!
But truly is God's will something we have to pray for or is it something that is just "there!?!?!" Is it something we seek out or is it something we live within.
In John 15 Jesus says that "He is the vine and we are the branch..." He states that if we remain in Him we will produce "much fruit." He then continues by stating, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you."
Ask whatever you wish and it will be given! Do you see this? Jesus is saying when we are living within HIM, living out who He was while He was upon this earth, we receive what we ask for! Why? Because we are desiring He desires(ed).
Stay with me...
So, when we are praying for God's will are we missing the boat. Instead of praying for God's will, should we be praying and seeking the abiding in Christ and we will be in HIS will no matter what!
Recently I was sitting with two people and they were talking about seeking "God's will" whether they are right for each other! Is this accurate approach or should they seek greater to abide in Christ and this sought "will" for their life will come to them?
Just a thought...
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A lostness among the saved...
My heart is very heavy this morning! As I began to walk around that which I am encircled by, I find confusion, a machine, an ever increasing next opportunity, the next speech, the next set; all for what? To do it all over again? Really is that what it has become? Is that what it really is about, a continuation of the same, the inompetetent insanity of carrying on a disfigured image of Christ.
Just recently I found myself sitting amongst a few followers that are very raw but so transparent in their journey with Jesus. A transparency that they do not have it together, that they have issues and struggles with sin, that they are fearful of the temptations that come their way...and it was so refreshing. To listen to a group that acknowledges the need of the Holy Spirit to make it from hour to hour rekindles the need for my dependence on the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE in my life.
As I read in Isaiah 5 this morning the words of the Prophet haunted me as they went from the whites of the pages to the resources of my mind. Here is what I read;
"Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land. Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants."
After reading thees verses I open the drawer of the desk to find a picture of my Grandmother who passed a few years ago, without Christ. As I looked into her eyes, tears ran from mine. Is she a result of the "lostness of the saved?" Have we forgotten what it really is about to be a follower of Jesus, living in Community, encouraging one another with our times of greatness, bitterness, and unkonwness?
God I need you and your direction ever more clearly now!
Just recently I found myself sitting amongst a few followers that are very raw but so transparent in their journey with Jesus. A transparency that they do not have it together, that they have issues and struggles with sin, that they are fearful of the temptations that come their way...and it was so refreshing. To listen to a group that acknowledges the need of the Holy Spirit to make it from hour to hour rekindles the need for my dependence on the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE in my life.
As I read in Isaiah 5 this morning the words of the Prophet haunted me as they went from the whites of the pages to the resources of my mind. Here is what I read;
"Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land. Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants."
After reading thees verses I open the drawer of the desk to find a picture of my Grandmother who passed a few years ago, without Christ. As I looked into her eyes, tears ran from mine. Is she a result of the "lostness of the saved?" Have we forgotten what it really is about to be a follower of Jesus, living in Community, encouraging one another with our times of greatness, bitterness, and unkonwness?
God I need you and your direction ever more clearly now!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Guilty!
I am guilty!
Just recently I had something come up on the radar that I was not expecting! You know when you are hit with something from out of nowhere! In football this is called a crack-back block!
Well I experienced a crack-back recently when I was told that the person I thought was going to come and be a part of an upcoming ministry event was unable to attend because of some things going on his life.
So how did I react? Let me give you a little hint:
The following is Paul sharing about his disciple Timothy;
“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
And guess what, I did not react like Timothy! I am the “everyone” in the above quote of Paul.
I was more concerned about “who” was going to fill the spot.
I close with this prayer request:
Pray for my friend that is walking through this difficult time.
Pray that I will begin to live my life with others being the focus.
Just recently I had something come up on the radar that I was not expecting! You know when you are hit with something from out of nowhere! In football this is called a crack-back block!
Well I experienced a crack-back recently when I was told that the person I thought was going to come and be a part of an upcoming ministry event was unable to attend because of some things going on his life.
So how did I react? Let me give you a little hint:
The following is Paul sharing about his disciple Timothy;
“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
And guess what, I did not react like Timothy! I am the “everyone” in the above quote of Paul.
I was more concerned about “who” was going to fill the spot.
I close with this prayer request:
Pray for my friend that is walking through this difficult time.
Pray that I will begin to live my life with others being the focus.
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