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June is the month for Children’s Day. What a splendid time this is to get acquainted with some of the children found in God’s Word! Let us turn the pages of God’s Book and there we shall find them — the boys and girls of the Bible. We shall notice, too, as we get acquainted with them, that they exemplify the steps in the Christian life which any boy and girl can take. Children can believe on the Lord Jesus. (Matt. 18: 1-6; 19:14, 15.) One day when the Lord Jesus was here upon the earth, His disciples asked Him this question: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” To answer this question, the Lord Jesus “ called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst.” This little child was a living object lesson and was used to teach the disciples that to enter the kingdom of heaven they must become as little children in the simplicity of faith.
Children can please the Lord by praying . . . Acts 12:12-17 Her name was Rhoda — this little girl of long ago, and though many 'years have passed since Rhoda lived in the great city of Jerusalem, yet she will always be remembered for having attended a prayer meeting in John Mark’s hotne. Many had gathered there to pray for Peter who was kept in prison. Their prayers were heard and answered and it was little Rhoda who heard Peter’s knock at the door of the gate after the Lord had won derfully delivered him. Prayer is talking to the heavenly Father in the name of Jesus. It is wonderful to speak to the Lord on earth and be heard in heaven. The Lord de lights to hear the prayers of a boy and girl. Begin today to talk to the heavenly Father. When you awake in the morning, thank Him for His watch and care through the night. Before you go to bed at night, tell Him all that you have done dining the day and remember all your loved ones before His throne of grace. Pray before you eat, thanking Him for the good gifts of food which He gives you daily. “ In every thing give thanks.” God’s Word says and “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17, 18.) Children can please the Lord by speaking a word for Him wher ever they are. (2 Kings 5:1-19.) She is called in God’s Word “ a little maid.” Her name is not known, but we do know that she waited on Captain Naaman’s wife and she must have served well, for her testimony concerning the true God and the man Elisha was believed. She was carried away from her native land and home by the army of the Syr ians, and though far away and in a strange land arid in a strange home, yet she did not forget to say a word for the man of God. And through her testimony the great Captain Naa- man was cured of the dreadful dis ease of leprosy. Boys and girls, you can witness for the Lord Jesus today by life and lip in the home, at school, or wher ever you are. Be a missionary just where you are and give out the good news of the gospel. “Go quickly — and tell!” (Matthew 28:7). Children can serve the Lord accept ably. (1 Samuel 2:18.) The little boy Samuel was God’s
M AR TH A S. HOOKER, Editor Associate Professor of Christian Education Biola Bible College gift to Hannah in answer to her prayers. What joy this little boy must have brought to the home of Hannah and Elkanah! They loved him dearly, but because God had given him to them, they brought him when very young to the house of the Lord and to the priest. Hannah said, “ For this child I prayed and the Lord hath given me my petition . . . therefore . . . I ' have lent him to the Lord as long as he liveth.” So the little boy Samuel lived in the house of the Lord with the priest, Eli. God’s Word says, “ Samuel ministered before the Lord being a child.” We do not know all that he did in God’s house. Per haps he lit the lamps at nighty but we are sure that he was obedient and did many things to help Eli in God’s house. “ Even a child is known by his doings.” (Prov. 20:11.) Children can serve the Lord today in His house. There are so many things that one can do to make and keep God’s house beautiful and holy. Flowers may be brought and care fully arranged, hymn books should be kept in the hymn book rack, chairs should be placed in order. With reverence boys and girls should sing and pray and read God’s holy Word in His house, and it may be said of them as of Samuel. “ And the child Samuel . . . was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men” (1 Samuel 2:26). Let us, like the boys and girls of the Bible, believe on the Lord Jesus as Saviour; give ourselves to Him to live always for Him alone; read God’s Holy Word day by day, talk to Him in prayer ; speak a word for Him at home, at school, at play; and serve the Lord with gladness wherever we are! Then we will indeed rejoice the heart of our Lord Jésus.
He further spoke of “ little ones which believe in me” and by these very words has made known to us the great truth that it is possible for “ little” children to believe on the Lord Jesus and receive Him as Sav ior. Children can please the Lord by bringing gifts to Him. (John 6:1-14.) Only a lad with a lunch of five wafer-like loaves of bread and two dried fishes in the midst of a tired, hungry crowd — but Andrew saw him and brought him to Jesus. And the little lad beholding the wonder ful Lord Jesus, gave all of his lunch to Him. It was this little lunch, mul tiplied by the miraculous power of the Lord Jesus that was used to feed the five thousand hungry people there by the seaside so long ago. We can still bring our gifts to the Lord Jesus, boys and girls.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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