Childlike Friendship with God

 Many children have their own fantasy world. They may have a secret place or an imaginary friend. Psychologists have researched this phenomenon and found that young children with an imaginary friend are mentally okay.

Some strict Christians might be afraid that children are being deceived by evil spirits. I heard a testimony from a woman whose family was deeply involved in witchcraft. From an early age she was tormented by demons.

On the other hand, Jesus said that children have a guardian angel.

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Lk 18:17 NIV

There are some traditional Catholics and Calvinists who place extreme emphasis on the doctrine of original sin.

There are severely wounded people whose parents or teachers cruelly condemned them and brought them up with harsh punishments. Their childlike nature was misunderstood as sin.

Of course it is true that none of us, like Jesus, was born without sin, but we are not only born with evil inclinations, but also with good ones.
 
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Gen 1:27 NIV

This likeness to God in us was distorted and twisted by the Fall, but not completely erased. Does this optimistic idea only come from humanism? No, from the Bible.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Jas 3:9 NIV

If we understand that children not only have evil inclinations, but also heavenly qualities, we will not only better understand our humanity, but also God himself.

I am sure that even as an infant Jesus had wonderful spontaneous conversations with his Heavenly Father and also with the Holy Spirit.

Why should we not expect to enjoy such an interactive relationship with God?

Some will see this idea as dangerously presumptuous, but it is demonstrably biblical.

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp .. Ex 33:11 NIV

The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them. Ps 25:14 NRSV

God wants you to get to know him intimately, to have personal conversations with him like Jesus and Moses. If we trust God like little children, we can learn to do this.

The Bible is God's word. Thank God we have God's written revelation.

But when you raise a child, are you just giving him a book? A child needs not only truth and wisdom, but also lively spontaneous communication with his parents. It is wonderful when children also communicate with God like this.

God speaks through Children

 2020 was not just the beginning of a new decade. Because of the pandemic, our familiar world order has come apart at the seams. Many want to return to our old ways, but yesterday's world is never coming back.

Many of us try to explain the crisis with conventional ways of thinking, but traditional world views can often lead us astray.

In times when yesterday's ways no longer work, we see in the Bible that God often speaks through children or teenagers.

• Mary was a teenager when she became the mother of Jesus.

• David was also a teenager when he killed Goliath.

• Samuel was a young boy when he became a prophet.

A seemingly successful pastor of a large American church attended a charismatic event. A very young girl came up to him, put her hand on his head and spoke with amazing boldness.

"Lord, take the junk out of him!"

When the prominent pastor returned to his congregation, he was a very different man. So far he had built an active and well-organised church with his own abilities and spiritual gifts. He himself was the foundation stone of the congregation.

He recognised the pride and self-centredness of his Christian ministry, and he began to focus on Jesus and give the Holy Spirit free rein.

A lot of members left the church, but in a short time the church was much bigger than before.

When we try to solve new problems with conventional approaches, we become like ships without rudders, sailing helplessly in circles.

The preacher who sparked the Welsh revival in 1904 was a man of only 26, Evan Roberts. He was supported by a team of intercessors, four teenager girls.

Children and young people are often much more open to new ideas and revelations from God. We need this openness.

Very many Christians only want to believe and obey God when they understand God's guidance. Children often have an open heart. They can believe and obey even if they don't understand.

Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 NKJV

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 NKJV

When the children hear directly from God, and explain things differently from our old way of thinking, we must take the children seriously. We must not stand in the way of the Holy Spirit.

One of the countless people raised up by God in the Welsh revival was a street preacher who was 15 years old. 

She preached with such heavenly power that thousands of listeners took her seriously and were blessed. Among them were prominent businessmen and rejected prostitutes.

You will not find such testimonies in many books. History is often manipulated to promote  religious traditions.

Where did I hear that? A few years ago we had a Welsh guest preacher in our church. She told wonderful stories about the Welsh revival.

The dramatic works of the Holy Spirit are often swept under the carpet, but those who seek will find.

Don't Submit to Religious Bullies

Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV)

If a woman is subjected to relentless bullying by her husband.

If a woman’s children are tormented, abused or corrupted by her husband, 

...then the only way for that woman to turn away from wickedness may be for her to leave her husband and take her children with her.

This principle should take priority over her wedding vows.

The same principle applies if you are a member of a church where bullying and abuse is rampant and being covered up. If there is no other way to stop the evil, you must leave, regardless of your position. 

If you are a pastor, an elder, a priest or a nun, it makes no difference. You must depart from evil.

If your father or husband is a predator or accomplice, that does not oblige you to be silent or to stay.

"Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
Of course, if you are a mother and you cannot leave without losing your children, it may be necessary to stay for that reason, but don’t let yourself be deceived by guilt sermons about the sin of divorce.

"Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

Why You Are Not Like Other People

For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 1Co 4:7 (NKJV)  

This text teaches us not to be proud.

You and I must not claim the credit for what God has called us to do because with the calling, 

• God also gives the inspiration, the wisdom, the faith, the love, the knowledge, the strength and the skill to fulfil His purpose in His way.

However, there are other lessons hidden in this text.

Firstly, we do differ from one another. Some of the differences are by God’s design.

• God did not call Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel to be preachers but to write some of the most glorious music ever heard on this earth.

• God did not call Billy Graham or Reinhard Bonnke to teach theology in a Bible college but to preach to great crowds to bring millions of lost men and women into the Kingdom of Heaven.

If God has gifted you to transform the lives of children, He may not have given you the gift of preaching to crowds of adults. 

One of the saddest things in churches is the low value we put on children and children’s ministry.

• Samuel was a child when he heard the voice of God and became a prophet.

• Mary was a young teenager when she conceived the Son of God.

• In Mozambique, Heidi Baker adopts abandoned children and raises them up to preach the Good News of Jesus to hostile Muslims and witchcraft workers. 

  • Little boys and girls open blind eyes and deaf ears and whole villages come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Children’s ministry can be a place of training for preachers to adults we should not only see children in this way.

• I often hear people speak of children as “the church of tomorrow.” I hate this saying. 

  • Although it is partly true, it poisons the church with unbelief concerning the potential of children to be heroes of faith right now.

• In churches where these thoughts are accepted, the adults are often spiritual underachievers as well. God save our children from becoming mediocre unbelieving believers!

Another reason for differences between believers is simply that only some believers have learned the secret of receiving in order to give.

“For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive?”

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Lk 7:47 (NKJV)  

• The first thing we all need to receive is forgiveness for our sins. 

  • If we have a revelation of the wonderful goodness of God, we will see more and more how much we need His forgiveness and how great is His mercy and grace.

Some of us strive to be good but we are really trying to cover our weaknesses and faults.

• Paul wrote:

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2Co 12:9 (NLT)  

I love to hear preachers talk about their weaknesses and faults and how God has helped them overcome them. Unfortunately, few preaches dare to be so transparent.

There are other believers who depend on their knowledge and abilities instead of opening themselves to the wisdom and direction of God. 

• If you empty yourself and receive revelation, wisdom and direction from God, He will also use your knowledge and talents but your own ability must never be your starting point or the thing you rely on.

The Apostle Paul and John Wesley were both brilliant scholars but they laid down their lives to learn from the Holy Spirit. 

• God redirected their thinking and used their minds for His Kingdom.

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 1Co 1:21 (NKJV) 

• We must also not go to the other extreme by despising intellect. 

  • We would not have bibles and study resources without highly educated believers. 

  • We also need believing doctors, teachers, writers and politicians.

The Promises of Jesus

You can always trust Jesus.

• You can trust Jesus when you are sick.

That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 

This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”  Matthew 8:16-17 (ESV)       

  

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. 

Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 (NLT)   

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Heb13:8 (NKJV)   

• You can trust Jesus when you are guilty.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Jn 1:8-9 (ESV)  

• You can trust Jesus when you feel rejected.

However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. John 6:37 (NLT)   

 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37 (NKJV)  

• You can trust Jesus when you don’t know if God accepts you.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)   

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. 

He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.  2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)   

...for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth: 1 Tim 2:4 (TLB)

• You can trust Jesus when you feel pressurised, tired and overwhelmed.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NLT)   

• You can trust Jesus when you feel empty and unsatisfied.

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35 (NKJV)   

 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. 

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJV)  

 

• You can trust Jesus when you feel alone.

    "But I will send you the Comforter—the Holy Spirit, the source of all truth. 

He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me. John 15:26 (TLB)

  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. 

And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NLT)  

• You can trust Jesus to speak to you. 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (NKJV)   

• You can trust Jesus when you are grieving over the loss of what was precious to you.

 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10 (NKJV)  

• You can trust Jesus to care for your children.

 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; 

He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40:11 (NKJV)  

• You can trust Jesus when you are afraid to die. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, 

for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (NIV)   

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 

Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. John 11:25-26 (NLT)