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 421 - 430 of 479

Pages

Unique Gifts Make Winning Teams Digital Videos

The content of these videos is the same as the Unique Gifts Make Winning Teams DVD Set but in digital format. Receive your product immediately with no shipping costs!

Price: $39.95

Your Extraordinary Life Digital Video Downloads

Mark Virkler | 16 Digital Video Sessions

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?

Price: $39.95
4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice MP3 Download

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice MP3s

by Mark Virkler | 10 Sessions

As seen on the Sid Roth "It's Supernatural" program, this audio download of the 10-hour course will draw you into a classroom experience with others who are learning to hear from God right alongside you. It follows along with the LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice notebook.

Price: $59.95

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice MP3s - Abridged Edition

by Mark Virkler | 10 Sessions of MP3

A complete description is available by clicking here, where you will find information on the 60-minute version of this product. The main difference is that these 10 sessions are shorter, averaging 40 minutes each. You asked for it and it's finally available! The same core teaching now abridged, making the sessions easier to fit into your Sunday School class, home group meeting or lunch hour Bible study.

Price: $39.95

Counseled by God MP3 Download

by Mark Virkler | 13 Sessions

Just Released – 35th Anniversary Edition

The foremost training in the world helping you become emotionally whole by hearing the voice of the Wonderful Counselor! ?You will receive an impartation as you listen to the 13 sessions of Mark Virkler sharing life-transforming principles on how to restore your heart by receiving daily counsel directly from God.

Price: $59.95
Language of the Heart

Language of the Heart - 10 Musical Renditions

Wayne Tester

Do you desire more freedom from anxiety, depression or past hurts? Do you need more inner healing, but you don’t know how to get it? 

Price: $9.95
Prayers That Heal the Heart MP3 Download

Prayers That Heal the Heart Audio MP3 - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

by Mark Virkler | 15 Sessions

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit. Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith.

Price: $59.95

Everyday Angels MP3s

By Charity Virkler Kayembe

You can partner with Heaven’s angelic hosts!

Do you have guardian angels? Does God want you to know them? Find out what Scripture reveals and how YOU can interact with the company of Heaven!

The supernatural realm permeates our natural world! Therefore, experiencing angels should be an everyday occurrence–we simply need to open our spiritual eyes to their reality and role in our lives.

Price: $49.00
Hear God Through Your Dreams MP3s

Hear God Through Your Dreams MP3s

by Mark Virkler | 5 Sessions

A newer version has just released: Click here for Hearing God Through Your Dreams MP3s by Charity Kayembe and Mark Virkler (featured on Sid Roth in November, 2016).

Price: $24.95
Hearing God Through Your Dreams MP3s by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe

Hearing God Through Your Dreams MP3 Downloads

Receive divine counsel nightly. Increase emotional health, wisdom and creativity

Learn How to Hear God’s Voice, Even When You Are Sleeping

Recorded live at Catch the Fire in Toronto!

Price: $39.95

Pages