FROM THE MOUTH OF BABES

"What's our bible study today?" asks Jayden.

"'Living Worthy of the Lord,' Colossians 1:9-14," I reply. Then he flips open his bible, looking for Colossians. 

Unable to find it, he comes to me for help. Whew, found it!  You see, prior, Jayden was already singing an acronym to make it easy for him to search for books in the new testament. 

He could have found it, but Colossians is such a tiny book in between Philippians and 1Thesallonians; and how many times have I too missed it! 

So on to our bible study—something his Mamita Vivian and I agreed to hold once a week for their household. In between our discussions, Jayden politely raised his hand several times to ask questions.   

"What is wisdom?" His last. 

"Remember Solomon..." I started to explain.

"Oh, yes, I remember. That's in Ecclesiastes. 

Jayden must be referring to: “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” (Ecclesiastes 1:16)

Why this blogpost on Jayden? 

Jayden is seven years old! 

I've a few times bantered with Jayden when he was younger; and boy, did he impress me with his quick repartees and little gentlemanly manners. He could even do mean mental maths! 

No wonder His parents Alfie and Ella always sport that proud-of-my-little-boy look. (Congrats, you've raised Jayden well.)

And in this recent bible study, he was my most attentive and engaged listener. I saw it in the eureka! glint in his eyes—revelations his young mind and heart have beheld as God's special instructions for him. 

He even took notes, under the heading, "Speaker: Lola Yay."

But this totally floored me: "I can't wait for the next bible study," he intimated before I left. 

What can I say? 

"Praise God for Jayden!" was all I could utter. "Could all church attendees be as focused on you, Lord?"

With my heart rocking to "How Great is our God," I headed back home, these words of Jesus having sprung up fresh as morning dew:

"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. 

I can't wait for our next bible study! 

OLYMPIC VICTORY FOR CHRIST

photo credit: pinterest.com

To honor the gods, particularly Zeus. This may have inspired the holding of the  ancient Olympics back in the 8^th century BC.

Well, today's Olympic champions, thank God, are dedicating their victory to the true Master of the universe.  And why not?  These athletes have experienced HIs enabling power. In their weakness, they have learned to rely on the powerful God who is the source of all strength.  

Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) particularly features athletes who are unabashed in declaring their faith on Jesus.  Some of its recent stories:

"Ven Niekerk, track star, South Africa, smashes Michael Johnson's record; gives glory to God."

"The fastest man on the planet, Usain Bolt is making headlines around the world, but reports say the God he worships is being ignored by the BBC."

"Olympic gold medalist Almaz Ayana tells the world how she was able to break a 23-year-old world record in the 10,000 meters track competition; she says it's because of Jesus. "   

"U.S. Track Star Allyson Felix, a devout Christian, told the Los Angeles Times that her Christian faith is the reason she runs."

Texas-native Simone Manuel, 19, "gives glory to God; took her place in Olympic history Thursday night, becoming the first African-American woman to win gold in swimming…"

"American Olympic divers David Boudia and Steele Johnson took silver in the men's synchronized 10-meter platform Monday night. They both have repeatedly shared how they find their identity in Jesus Christ."

"Five years ago 22-year-old Nigerian American Moralake Akinosun tweeted about her dream to compete in the Olympics. Today she is living her dream.  Akinosun, a Christian, said her faith inspires her to believe beyond the impossible."

These Olympic Games testimonies are just too many to mention here. From the most bemedalled Olympian, swim champ Michael Phelps, to gymnast "perfect 10" Simone Biles. All of them attest of THE God who repairs broken lives, empowers the weak and enables one to persevere despite the odds.

And that these feats are possible for those who are willing to be trained, to get back up when they fall, and to discipline themselves to master their skill even if it hurts―and to believe, really believe, that with God, nothing is impossible.

These bible verses must have taken life in the hearts of these champions:

"You thrill me, Lord, with all you've done for me. I sing for joy of what you have done," Psalm 92:4.

"When they call me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and HONOR them," Psalm 91:5.

By the way, haven't you noticed that the naysayers and faith-bashers have not said much to belittle these faith proclamations? They better not! Or they will be contending with adoring fans.  

Having honored God, these champions have brought glory to their countries as well.

REVEAL TIME

http://www.awesomelycute.com/gallery/2014/02/    
animals-who-love-to-play-hide-and-seek-2906.jpg

Hide and seek is fun. Finding that one playmate to replace you as tayâ is key:  

Is he behind the sofa, inside the closet or under the bed? Everyone screaming, laughing and scampering for home base all the more makes taguan exciting.

An aha! moment. That's what we experience when we uncover something hidden. No wonder  taguan delights kids.

Discovering God's truth gives you reason to rejoice too.

I've read the bible umpteenth times but I still break into "Wow!" moments. That's when fresh insights fly out of its pages to roost in the inner caverns of my heart. This happens too on certain Sundays when the preacher dives so deep into the Word (like searching for hidden treasures), enough to nourish my spirit days on end.  

So how could the devil snatch these words from me if they've securely burrowed into my heart? So when faced with temptations, I stand firm on the truth. Some of them:    

That I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.

He knows me and calls me by name. I'm His child.

My sufferings are just temporary and He will give me victory.

He has not given me the spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.

I am saved in Christ! And because of that, I have His mind―to think pleasant, good and admirable thoughts.

Just by watching news on TV nowadays, you'd sense a world in turmoil. People are harassed, petrified, worried, stressed. Jesus himself warned us of terrible times ahead.

John 16:33―"I have told you those things so that in me, you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!"

The world needs to know! The truth could not be hid any longer.

In a Philippine barangay, a Juan or a Juanita may be caught in drug addiction but he/she does not know it's destroying him/her. And he/she's terrified of being caught.

Somewhere in a public school in America, a teenage boy may be attending the After School Club of Satan (CBNNews); or a young woman may be seeking  abortion―consequence of an anything-goes lifestyle.

An internet source reports  that  1.4 billion babies have been aborted―a good percentage due to unwanted pregnancies―worldwide since 1980.

According to the Daily Mail, UK, site, the number of people killed worldwide through terrorism has soared by 80% in 2014. It wouldn't be surprising to see that percentage growing higher each year.

Generations of children have grown up without a sense of God and His righteousness. No wonder they live according to their own terms. And terror has abounded.  

The TRUTH must be revealed!

Everyone, especially the next generation, needs to know about the glorious deeds of the Lord, His power and mighty wonders (Psalms 78:4). That's the only way they could put their trust in the Word, and not in their gold or their little gods.

No hiding now. Let the WORD go, that they may cling to Jesus, their only source of hope and change.

Lord, give me the boldness to share and live your Word.