[Faith-talk] FW: [URCTCPrayerGroup2] Simplicity: Five things little kids can teach you by Joyce Meyer

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "Donna" <godsgirl54 at att.net>
To: <URCTCPrayerGroup2 at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [URCTCPrayerGroup2] Simplicity: Five things little kids can
teach you by Joyce Meyer
Date: 
Tue, 3 Jan 2012 00:01:27 -0500

Simplicity: Five Things Little Kids Can Teach You 
by Joyce Meyer 
How many days a week do you feel like life is just too complicated? Even
if it isn't, it doesn't take us long to make things complicated. Human
beings just have this innate ability to ramp up everything to the next
level. 




I once tried to plan a simple barbecue party...I was going to invite two
couples from church, grill hot dogs and hamburgers, and just sit around and
fellowship. Sounds good, right? 

Well, in one week I managed to turn two couples into 20, buy expensive
steaks I couldn't afford and drive my family crazy with a list of chores I
was convinced we just had to do before company came over. 

Frankly, I just wanted to impress people. And because of it, I had a
miserable week-and I made my family miserable too. 

What's the simple solution to all of this? I believe the answer is in
Luke 18:17: Whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of
God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all]. 

Did you notice it says little? As children get older, even they begin to
have the ability to complicate things. But when they're really little,
there's just none of that. 

Little children aren't complicated. They don't live their life trying to
impress anyone. And they can teach us a lot about how to enjoy life. 

Lesson 1: Let Things Go
" Multitasking may be popular, but the Bible tells us to give our mind to
what we are doing. " One thing about children is they are extremely
forgiving. One minute they can be fighting over a toy and the next minute
they're hugging. 

I can tell you that hating people is complicated and it's hard work. You
can carry a grudge and be bitter, resentful, mad and offended. And every
time you see "that person" you can cringe inside and you can talk about
them behind their back-or you can spare yourself the trouble. 

Listen, don't waste the rest of your life sulking about some unfair thing
that happened to you. Get yourself off your mind.and simplify. 

Lesson 2: Be a Dreamer
Another thing children do that makes their lives simple is that they so
easily believe. They believe in magic and fairytales. They have no problem
coming up with imaginary playmates or imagining life to be amazing and
fantastic. 

There's a book by John Ortberg called God Is Closer Than You Think. And
in it, he writes about a little girl who said she knew Jesus was living in
her heart because when she put her hand to her chest, she could feel Him
walking around. 

Now, we adults know she was just feeling her heartbeat. But that little
childlike spirit felt God inside her! And when you think about it, she was
right because a beating heart is a sign that life is in you. 

As adults, we need to move into the supernatural realm and start dreaming
again. We need to create joy in our own lives. It's a right and privilege
we have as children of God, but it's a decision we must choose to make. 

Lesson 3: Pick Up Your Toys
Some of us can simplify our lives very easily, even without using our
imaginations. 

For one thing, we can go home and clean up our rooms. Keep the stuff you
use and keep the stuff you love. But give away what you're holding on to
for someday because odds are when you need it, you won't remember where you
put it. 

Lesson 4: Focus Your Attention 
Another way you can simplify your life is to practice doing one thing at
a time. Multitasking may be popular, but the Bible tells us to give our
mind to what we are doing (see Ecclesiastes 5:1). 

Lesson 5: Ask Your Father
Finally, you can simplify your life just by trusting that God loves you
and hears your prayers. Philippians 4:6 says, Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God (NIV). 

If you want something, ask Him for it. If it's right, He'll give it to
you. If it's not, just know He has something better for you in mind. 

It really is that simple! I encourage you to stop questioning God with
your mind, and start trusting Him with your heart. 

Be a little more childlike in your approach to life. Who knows.you may
just feel Jesus walking around in your heart. 





Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown
into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what
he says will take place, it will be done for him. Mark 11:23