"...you called me." 1 Samuel 3:5

There are always certain bible lessons with the kids that strike a heart chord.  Obviously, all lessons are extremely important.  But certain lessons like the kids acting out the story of Moses.  When the children acted that story out my heart swelled with joy as I could watch the blessing of  the message of redemption and provision penetrate their little hearts.  My heart swells with joy being a small part of their lives.  Being who God intends for me to be and to see these little lives fill with teaching for eternity. The book that I am currently reading, How to Worship a King describes our role on this earth "as the Angel of the Lord did to Gideon, recognize and name the mighty warrior waiting to arise from within the trembling coward."  We must speak life and destiny into those around us.  In the Old Testament the priest's were to empower people and worship God.

So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, "The nations

whom you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know

the rituals of the God of the land; therefore He has sent lions among them, and indeed,

they are killing them because they do not know the rituals of the God of the land." Then

the king of Assyria commanded, saying, "Send there one of the priests whom you brought 

from there; let him go and dwell there, and let him teach them the rituals of the God of the land."

Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, 

and taught them how they should fear the LORD"

2 Kings 17:26-28

The author of the book, Zach Neese, goes on to explain in the book that Israel turned its back on God and faced being conquered by Assyria.  The new tenants of God's land did not know how to worship Him.  The new people brought idol's and false gods.  So, the lions were allowed to enter the land in hopes of getting their attention.  It did!  The King sent priests to the people to teach them how to worship God.  The curse lifted from the land and was blessed.  The priests blessed the people by teaching them to be worshipers, and the lions went away.  Likewise we are chosen in the new covenant to carry the light of the world.  As a new covenant priest I must teach my corner of the world to worship so that they will learn to fear and follow God, and He will heal our land.     

Annah descriptively told the story of Samuel waking in the night hearing someone call his name.  Obediently he got up and went to Eli thinking it was him who called.  After the third time Eli gave wise counsel and blessing of words to speak when he heard the voice again.  Samuel as a young boy listened and was obedient to the voice of God.  Our little class of young eager minds listened to the story then sat quietly many with eyes closed.  This was a structured quiet time but as they sat there listening to the voice of God.  I prayed a prayer of blessing that they would recognize and be the mighty warriors within for the Lord!  Kids from one year old to six years old began to draw pictures of what the Lord is doing in their little lives.  I did not ask them the meaning of their pictures as we placed them in our heart on the wall.  But, tears glistened as I looked at these crayon drawings.  Their minds are growing in their ability to think abstractly, their little hands are getting used to drawing, and their little hearts are ever growing to know and be known by their Creator!

It is a privilege to speak life into these precious little warriors.  May they continue to grow in knowing the God that loves them and may they love worshiping him now through eternity.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face

shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face 

toward you and give you peace"

Numbers 6:23-26