Steve Pearson shared a message titled, 'Come With an Open Heart' National Children's Day So many times in the Bible we see how children are used as examples for how we as adults can live. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT) 'Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.' The mind of a child is open and yearning for love and connection. Jesus called children forward. Luke 18:16 (NLT) 'Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children."' Children are willing to let God move and they're expectant! When kids ask for things, they don't expect a no! A kid's mind is like a sponge. Sponges soak up water. John 7:37-38 (NLT) 'On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” Children come to God as an open sponge, they want to embrace Him and squeeze into Him and living water will flow out. Kids don't have pre-conceptions and bias. They want connection with God and when they have that we see living water flow through them! Sometimes as adults we have our lives filled up with ideas, bitterness, the tough stuff of life which isn't thirst-quenching. God invites us to come as we are... 'Come as you are, as you were as I want you to be. As a friend... Take your time, hurry up, choice is yours don’t be late. Take a rest, as a friend. ' Kurt Cobain God knows all the stuff going on for us and still invites us to come as we are. Matthew 11:28 (NLT) 'Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."' Psalm 23:2-3 (NLT) 'He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honour to his name.' However you get to Jesus - come with an open heart and willingness. When we embrace God, and He embraces us, the gunk and life-less stuff all comes out of us. Children and young people come with expectation - we can all learn from this posture. Matthew 7:8-11 (NLT) 'For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.' Galatians 3:26 (NLT) 'For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.' --- You can watch the full message below:
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