Seeds of Faith

Isabelle Rose 1.13.11

Luke 18:15-17 (The Message)

People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. "Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."

The beauty and simplicity of the gospel is no more evident than through the eyes of a child. Isabelle and I got to talk today about God's house that he's preparing for those that love him. Belle grew more and more excited as I told her the Bible says there are many rooms in God's house. And I began listing the people in her life who love God and believe in Jesus and will live in this big house - together - one day. She could hardly contain her excitement. I explained to her as simply as I could the message of the gospel. That Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins so that we could be with God forever. I asked her if she wanted to live with God forever too. This sweet girl was bursting at the seams - "Yes! Yes! Yes!". So we talked to God - told him that Belle loved him and that she wanted to be with him and Jesus forever.

Such a simple faith. Small as a mustard seed, some would say, but its as real and tangible as anything I've seen. I will do my best to nurture and water this precious seed of faith, but I trust God will make it grow and blossom into a mature, fruit bearing tree - in its proper time. Still, there is beauty in the first sprout of green from humble seed. A miracle in the making.

After dinner the kids and I had David Crowder's "Oh Praise Him" cranked; we were dancing and singing, praising our King along with all creation. I told Belle that when we praise God, his Holy Spirit comes. That Jesus loves to hear our songs.

"Where is Jesus, Mom? I thought he was in my heart?" she asked.

"He is Belle. He lives within you." I answered.

"Well then who lives in you...if Jesus is in me?"

I did my best to explain God's gift of his Spirit that He gives to all who accept Jesus. And that the Spirit is like the air we breathe. Its inside of us (I breathed on her), but it fills the room and every inch of this world. We have the same Spirit alive within us.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

Praise God for His Spirit. He has been making Himself so evident, so visible in our lives lately. Or maybe He is giving us eyes anew to see Him in His beauty. Either way, its a gift from Him. Praise God for childlike faith. And Praise Him that He is a God that values the humble, the pure, and the simple efforts of His children to love Him, returning it in extravagant showers of goodness and life.

No one's ever seen or heard anything like this,
Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—
What God has arranged for those who love him.
But you've seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you. 1 Cor 2:9-10 (The Message)

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