What's In Your Heart?

I guess I don’t have to tell you it’s hot and dry around here. We’ve forgotten just how hot and dry it can get after being spoiled with mild temperatures and an abundance of rain the past three summers. It looks like we’re in for several 100 degree days (weeks) this year. I made a trip to the ‘big city’ this past week, going to one of those warehouse outlets for supplies and such. Well, I can always tell when it’s really getting dry and we’re in need of rain. Several years ago I witnessed an amazing adaptation of nature to its environment. I don’t know why I never noticed it before, just too busy I guess. But, I noticed an abundance of birds flying around the parking lot. I thought there isn’t any trash or seed on the ground that I can see. I wonder, ‘Why are they flocking under terribly hot vehicles?’ I watched for a few minutes and suddenly discovered as soon as the passengers departed from the vehicle the birds gathered to feast on the water dripping from the vehicles’ air conditioner onto the ground. God does supply.
One day a boy of six came running into the house crying and very angry at Billy, the boy next door, who had roughed him up a bit. His mother did her best to explain to him how he should try to forgive Billy, because God loves Billy just as much as he loves him. So if God could love Billy in spite of his misgivings, he should love and forgive him too. Not taking time to think over what his mother had said and leaving his mother speechless the boy shot back, “But Mom, God doesn’t have to live next door to Billy!”
A little boy, who was very much afraid of the dark, was told by his mother to go out on the back porch and bring her the broom. The little boy turned to his mother and said, “Mama, I don’t want to go out there. It’s dark.” The mother smiled reassuringly at her son. “You don’t have to be afraid of the dark,” she explained. “Jesus is out there. He’ll look after you and protect you.” The little boy looked at his mother real hard and asked, “Are you sure he’s out there?” “Yes, I’m sure. He’s everywhere and he’s always ready to help you when you need him”, she said. The little boy thought about that for a minute or two, then walked to the back door and opened it just a crack. Peering out into the darkness he said, “Jesus? If you’re out there, would you please hand me the broom?”
[Luke 12: 22-34] A recent TV commercial pushing ‘Go RVing’, depicts a family traveling about the country experiencing America. Amongst the scenes of all the fun a question is posed. “…but you know what will really give them goose bumps? Mother Nature.” At this point the scene is of a boy staring up into Giant Redwood trees in awe of the sight. It’s Vacation Bible School time again and a wonderful time it is. It’s a special time to bring God to youngsters, and adults, in a way that may be sort of awe inspiring, leaving an impression and prayerfully planting a seed of faith that will begin to grow. Of course, anyone who has ever planted knows that just putting the seed in the ground is only the beginning. It needs water and nutrients to grow on. Weeds must be eliminated that they do not rob the plant of these things. How do we get faith to grow in our young people? Teaching them the Word of God isn’t enough. We must live the life of God’s word. Parents have the greatest influence in this and what children learn the best is what they see. What’s in your heart is what people see and what you teach. Are you preaching from the book or teaching from the heart? Be awesomely faithful in God.