Sunday Writing... 6-23-19... "MOUTHS OF BABES"

Good morning!

Today's writing, "MOUTHS OF BABES," talks about that phrase that is used, "Out of the mouths of babes!" Sometimes children say things that are wiser than their years of life experience would dictate.    Read on to see how God wants us to act like children in some cases.

Blessings,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"MOUTHS OF BABES"

by

Jan Andersen

Seeing a large variety of dogs and puppies all playing happily together in a dog park, a little child looking on says, “We should all be like all those different dogs, like one big happy family!”  Out of the mouths of babes!

“Out of the mouths of babes” is a phrase used to mean children can sometimes say things wiser than adults, in a simple sentence, straight forward and honest.  Their statement may not have come to the adult’s mind until it came out of the child’s mouth, and it can almost stop the adult in their tracks as the truth is stated so frankly.  Many people don’t realize that this expression actually comes from the Bible, though originally written that out of the mouths of babies and infants comes strength or comes praise.  Jesus said it to the pharisees when they became jealous that children were crying out praises to Him in the temple for his miraculous healing of the blind and lame.  Those children were showing more wisdom than the pharisees, with all their scholarly training.  

The faith of a child is more simple and straightforward than that of most adults.  This is why Jesus also said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”  A child’s faith is not complicated by an adult’s desire to impress others, to fulfill obligations, or to keep traditions alive.  They accept and believe with their whole heart.  It is from this heart-faith that one can speak God’s praise with unbridled joy!

God doesn’t want us to be childish or immature, but to be child-like in our receiving of his Word - accepting and believing with our whole heart.  He doesn’t want us to rudely blurt out truths that would turn people away, but to be tactfully honest and forthright when speaking about Him.  Jesus doesn’t desire haughty knowledge but humble praise and loving insight shared with others. 

Matthew 21:14-16  ESV  And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.  But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”

Dear God, please give us a humble and unpretentious faith like a child.  Help us to praise you with the unbridled joy of youth.  Thank you for your forgiveness for us as your imperfect children.  May we be effective witnesses about your glory and loving mercy to all we meet throughout our lives on earth.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.  

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Song:

"I Know That My Savior Loves Me"

by Reese Oliveira

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To see as a child sees... the hope, the joy, the wonder!

Matthew 18:3 "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries

Blog Writers

Sandy Billingham, Karen Bennett, 

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  

Bre Miller, Betty Espindola,  Lynda Kinnard

Amie Spruiell, Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Steficek,

Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustafa