Where is God Amidst All This Chaos?
Special: Counseled by God Free Video Event and up to 50% off!

THE FAITH OF A LITTLE CHILD

Karen Barnes's picture

The story of one of the little girls in our kid’s ministry is a good example of how children can learn to trust in God. Samantha’s family was “babysitting” a pet iguana for some friends while they were away. They would feed it, play with it, and care for it everyday. I’m not a lizard fan, but am quite sure the kids loved having it around! One day, when Samantha went in to feed the iguana, she found it lifeless and cold, its head in the water bowl. Of course, it scared her, but her poor little heart just ached for this pet. Her mother came in and tried to console her, but Samantha just wouldn’t accept that it was gone.

This was a time in our ministry we had been teaching the kids about trusting in God, especially in prayer. We had told them that whatever you asked God for, trusting in Him and believing, He would do for you, regardless what it was (Matt 21:21-22) – just believe. There had been many opportunities during our Children’s Church to “practice the Presence” and believe. Samantha took this to heart and began praying life into that lizard. She cried and asked God to bring the creature back to life because the family would miss their pet and it shouldn’t have died. What happened next took them both by surprise.

The iguana took a breath. Now, Samantha’s mom wasn’t sure if that was just the “finale” of his life, or if something was happening, so she watched more intently. He took another breath, and Samantha, not noticing this, kept on praying and interceding compassionately for its life. Then they both saw his tail move, and then a leg, and finally, he opened his eyes and started moving around. Samantha was overjoyed, and when her mom was able to breathe, checked out the creature from stem to stern, finding everything in good working order. 

Samantha completely trusted in God to do what she asked, because she knew from experience and practice that God loved her and would hear her prayer. To this day I still find it incredible that in that moment of despair and pain, she cried out to God for help rather than give in to what seemed like the inevitable. Oh, that we all would learn from her example!  

These are concepts that need to be passed on to our children today, along with the confidence and encouragement that, yes, they CAN do these things! As we equip them, pray over them, then take them out and allow them to “do the stuff”, we give them room to be who God means for them to be NOW – not waiting for them to be 20 or 21 years old!

When we teach our kids that Jesus is more than a coloring book page, that relationship with Him is REAL, tangible and so much fun, they are drawn to Him and He is released to work incredible things in and through them! God is no “respector of persons”, so what we receive as adults, the children can receive also.

Intimacy with Christ is what brings results such as raising the dead! Intimacy breeds trust and a peaceful faith in the others person’s abilities and character. Bringing kids into the presence of Jesus, giving them the tools to draw near to Him and hear His voice are vital to building that intimacy with Him. But we can’t take the children down a road we haven’t already traveled ourselves! Ask the Lord to draw you and to teach YOU to come closer to Him than ever before, and watch what happens. It’s time to raise the dead parts of your life!

  

Karen’s calling is to bring children into the manifest presence and glory of Jesus, lead them in experiencing His deep abiding love, clear unmistakable voice, wise Godly direction for their lives, and to ignite a spirit-led passion for serving Him in many ways at any age.

She is available for children’s and adult conferences, retreats, church dates, camps, leadership training and regional equipping sessions. Fire For the Nations hosts a summer camp for kids and periodic kids mission trips during the year. Her first book, KIDS CAN is now available in both the CWG and Fire For the Nations bookstores. For more information on the book or to schedule dates, check out the website (www.fire4thenations.com), or email her at [email protected].

Add new comment

Comments

Anonymous's picture

Very good word, Karen. This message needs to be in every children's Sunday school class and home. "A little child shall lead us". The children can be our models a lot of times if we watch and listen.

Anonymous's picture

Awesome faith builder - especially for our young generation. Keep up the good work!

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 11 - 20 of 479

Pages

Hearing God

Hearing God - for Intimacy, Healing, Creativity, Meditation and Dream Interpretation

by Mark Virkler and Patti Virkler | 192 Pages

Reviewed by Sid Roth on It's SupernaturalWhat does it sound like to hear from Heaven? In this interactive journal, Dr. Mark Virkler takes you on a life-changing journey that reveals three powerful ways you can hear God’s voice and recognize how He is speaking in your life everyday.

Price: $16.95
Naturally Supernatural

Naturally Supernatural

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 161 Pages

A step-by-step guide on “abiding in Christ” or how to let go and let God live naturally and powerfully out through you. Disarmingly simple. Mind-blowingly powerful.

Price: $14.95

Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions

by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe | 314 Pages

Experience Healing for Your Body, Soul, and Spirit through Kingdom Emotions!

In Christianity, emotions are often considered to be misleading and untrustworthy—a lingering part of our fallen nature that distract us from God’s truth. But our emotions were created by God, and though the enemy may seek to manipulate our hearts, Jesus sets us free! This practical teaching will empower you to see emotions as unique channels through which the Holy Spirit works to bring miraculous life-transformation, deliverance and healing.

Price: $16.99

Your Extraordinary Life!

by Mark & Patti Virkler | 197 Pages | $14.99 Retail

Can you imagine starting new believers off with the Holy Spirit! What if the first thing you were taught as a newborn Christian was how to connect easily and daily with the Holy Spirit Who was living inside you, anointing you, empowering you and transforming you?

Save $4 off retail for this book, plus huge quantity discounts available!

Price: $10.95

Rivers of Grace

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 189 Pages

You can be the parent God wants you to be: loving, encouraging, trusting and able to raise up your children in the way they should go, fulfilling their own unique destinies. Parenting was not intended to be a burden, and anyone who tells you differently has bought into a lie. You will learn to enjoy parenting as an exciting, joy-filled, divinely-ordained opportunity, not an wearying responsibility.

Price: $14.99

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice - Teen Edition

by Kay Velker and Mark Virkler | 164 Pages

Get your teens excited about hearing God's voice, two-way journaling and receiving divine vision! Keep them from going through teenage rebellion by teaching them how to hear from the Lord personally every single day of their lives. Give them a foundation that will let them accomplish more than they ever dreamed possible! 

Price: $9.95
4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Pre-Teen Edition

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Pre-Teen Edition

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 39 Pages

This book will ensure that your children learn to hear the voice of God. Generally young people can hear God’s voice easier than adults can! And by teaching them the four keys early on they will clearly recognize His voice as they grow up, positioning them to readily experience His maximum grace and goodness every day of their lives.

Price: $7.95

49 Lies Book – 49 Religious Lies Jesus Told Me to Stop Believing

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 112 Pages

If you have ever believed any of the following lies, then this book is for you: "Emotions are soulish;" "Money is evil or secular;" "It is wrong to seek vision;" "Don’t trust experiences;" "God gave me a mind and expects me to use it;" "Politics are evil;" God is always beating on me;" or one of 43 more such detestable lies...

Price: $11.95
Am I Being Deceived?

Am I Being Deceived?

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 110 Pages
Do you know where the boundaries are? Do you know the distinguishing traits of true Christianity, phariseeism, and the New Age Movement? You will after you have read this book. Set your borders straight, your vision high, and your passion at full steam ahead. Come explore true Christianity, phariseeism, and the New Age Movement.
Price: $12.99
Apprenticed to Leadership

Apprenticed to Leadership

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 74 Pages

Apprenticeship: "Soaking up the spirit and anointing of another."

Apprenticeship is the most time-honored approach to learning. It has proven itself through all of history, was used by Jesus of Nazareth to disciple the Twelve, and is being restored in America today by progressive educators.

Price: $10.95

Pages