At the Gate Called Beautiful

At 3:00 in the afternoon Peter and John went to the temple to pray. When they entered the gate called Beautiful, some men carried a man who had been crippled since birth. He never knew what it was like to walk or run or play ball. Now he was a man in his forties and the only way he could get money to buy food for himself was to beg at the temple. Seeing Peter and John, he asked them for money. His eyes met Peter's.

"Look at us," said Peter. Anyone could tell that they were not wealthy. "I don't have silver or gold, my friend, but what I have I give to you."

Something amazing happened! I wish I could have been there. Peter reached out his hand to the crippled man and lifted him to his feet. The man grabbed his cane.

"In the name of Jesus walk," Peter said. The crippled man felt tingling in his legs, things he never felt before. His eyes got really big, he dropped his cane and started laughing. Then he ran and jumped, and he jumped and ran and praised God. The people at the temple recognized him as the crippled man who begged day in and day out, year after year at the temple. They knew they were in the presence of God.

Have you wanted to feel God's presence? You can by saying Jesus' name as Peter did. Did you know God loves you? He loves you just the way you are, but He wants you to be like Jesus, His son, who had no sin. He never did anything bad. Each of us have done bad things, but Jesus loved us so much that He died for our sins AND He rose from death to give us a forever life with Him and the Father. Will you believe this today? If so, pray this simple prayer:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from my sin. Help me to live for you today and forever. Amen.

Heaven

Have you dreamed what Heaven or the New Jerusalem would be like? God gives great clues in Revelation 21. Check this out:

• The New Jerusalem will come down from Heaven like a jeweled chandelier.
• The walls will be of jasper (that means diamonds).
• Each of the twelve gates will be a single pearl.
• The foundations of the walls will be made of all kinds of jewels--emeralds, sapphire, topaz, diamonds and amethyst, to mention a few.
• The streets will be made of pure gold.
• There will be no evil, shame or lies.
• There will be no tears, pain or suffering.
• There will be no sun, moon or stars because the glory of God will give it light.
• There will be no temple because God the Father and Jesus the Son will be our temple.
• Jesus, the lamb, will be its light.
• The nations will walk by its light.
• The City of God will be as long as it is wide as it is high, 1400 miles cubed, which is as far as from San Francisco to Chicago.

Jesus told the apostles before He returned to the Father that He would prepare a place for them (and all who believe), so where He goes they will go. Our loving Father doesn't want anyone to be left out, but we cannot enter the pearl gates if we have any sin. Jesus died on the cross to take away our sin, but we have to believe and ask Jesus to help us live for Him. Think about it. He gave His all for us. It makes sense that we give our all to Him.

Heaven is not pie in the sky. It is as real as you are and it's the place for people who love God and live for Him. Jesus loves you and wants you to be in Heaven with Him. In fact, He's coming again. Nobody knows the exact day except the Father. Will you be ready?

Lord Jesus, I pray for the ones reading this, that they would experience your amazing grace and love and respond with lives holy and true for you. Amen.

Living Water

While driving along the Feather River in Northern California, I thought about the River of Life in Revelation 22. It must be beautiful with the Tree of Life rising on each side which bears twelve different kinds of fruit. Hard for me to imagine.

After a winter of heavy rain and snow, the Feather is fuller, faster and more captivating. White water rushers over boulders and descends into glorious waterfalls. The rushing water seems to be alive and I questioned, "Is this what living water is like?"

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well outside of Sychar, that He had living water, water that would spring up into eternal life. She said, "I want some of your water," because she didn't want to have to keep coming to the well several times a day for water to clean her house and cook her food. She didn't want to have to come for water to bathe her family.

But Jesus wasn't talking about physical water. He talked about nourishment for her soul. She understood when she realized Jesus knew all about her sinful life but showed her love. She tasted the living water but couldn't keep it to herself. Like the water in the rushing Feather River, the living water bubbled up inside her and she had to run and tell others in town about the man who knew all about her, yet, loved her.

That's how God's love is. Once we experience it, we can't keep it to oursleves. We have to love God and love others. That's how God's kingdom grows and grows. Do you know God's lavishing love? If you do, you know what I mean. If not, my prayer is for you today, that you will call on Jesus' name. That's all you have to do. He is waiting to show you His love just as He did the woman at the well.

Dealing with Bullies

Bullying is a big problem. When someone tries to hurt, scare, embarrass you or try to get you into trouble, they are bullying you. Here are some things you can do:

1. Do not bully back.
2. Tell an adult--a teacher and/or your parents.
3. Avoid the bully. Take a different route to your locker or the lunch room or gym. If the bully is in your class, you need to tell the teacher.
4. Stand tall and be confident.
5. Do not allow name calling to get to you emotionally. That's what the bully wants.
6. Use self-defense as a last resort--when you are trapped and alone with the bully. Make every effort not to let this happen.
7. Realize bullies are usually insecure people and they use bullying to give themselves power. They may not come from loving homes and this might be their way to get attention. Jesus said in Matthew 5:43, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'" As a Christian boy or girl, your attitude and prayers can make a difference.

Here are some links to more extensive articles on how to deal with bullying:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/bullies.html#
http://www.kidpower.org/resources/articles/prevent-bullying.html?gclid=CI2FjK2W_agCFRRigwod9EfVRw

Lord Jesus, I pray for kids who are bullied, that You would protect them. Help them make right decisions to be confident and tell adults. I pray for the bullies, that you would send someone to love them and show them a better way. Amen.

How Many Arms Can a Starfish Have?

What is your favorite fish in the acquarium? I like the starfish. Did you know that two thousand species of starfish or sea stars live in all the world's oceans? That includes the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic regions. The starfish live in a broad depth range from intertidal to abyssal depths which is 6000 meters.

We think of the typical five arm sea star, but depending on the species, they can have as many as fifty arms. Each species has different feeding and regeneration behaviors. Although most starfish are calm, the tropical Crown of Thorns starfish are voracious predators of coral throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

The starfish are examples of God's magnificent creation. Did you know you are more precious to Him than the most beautiful of sea creatures? It's true! He loves you so much He sent Jesus, His only Son to earth. Jesus held children in His arms and blessed them. He loves you and wants to be your Forever Friend. He will always be with you. Say His name (Jesus) and you will know He is near.

A Real Treasure

What would you do if you found a real treasure, something you really want on an Easter egg hunt? Would you try to get it into your basket or bag? Would you bury it and come back when no one is looking to get it?

The Bible talks about a man who found a treasure in a field. He valued it so much that he buried it. Then he purchased the field and claimed the treasure.

Did you know that you are God's treasure? He found such great value in you that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to love on you. One time Jesus was in a big crowd and parents brought their children on their birthdays to Him for a blessing. The disciples thought He wouldn't have time for the kids and began to ask them to leave. This disappointed Jesus and He said, "Let the children come to me and do not stop them." He took the little ones in His arms and blessed them. Imagine looking up into Jesus' face and seeing His eyes sparkle and the smile on His face that goes from ear to ear.

This is the hope of children who love Jesus. Only one thing will come between you and Him. It's the wrong things you do, things Jesus said we shouldn't do. But if we are sorry and willing to change and live our lives for Him, He will forgive us and let us live with Him forever. This is the real meaning of Easter.

Remember God loves you and wants to spend eternity with you. I hope you will give Him your heart today. I am praying for you.

Lord Jesus, watch over the one reading this post. Let him or her experience your amazing love so they will always want to be with you. Amen.