Childlike Heart

I have just had the pleasure of caring for my little niece (1) and nephew (3) the last couple days and am reminded of the special blessing God has given us in little children!  They bring a whole new tone of life to the home.  I have been reflecting on how absolutely natural and second nature it is for them to bring their emotions, EVERY emotion, to the surface and let you know what they are thinking and what they are needing without hesitation and without shame!  You are sure to hear about it if they are elated or grumpy or angry or sad.  Their little hearts are right there, vulnerable and exposed and actually trusting you!  It is this very childlikeness that Jesus says that He desires from us!  When we are living in this place of honesty with our feelings and vulnerable and trusting enough to go to Jesus with our inadequacies, fears, defeats...it is actually then that we are able to see our humanity.  It is then we see the gaping hole and the need that can be fulfilled in Him. 

My friend recently read this verse to me from a different version and it took on new life!  2 Corinthians 12:9 taken from the New Life Version says… ”He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people...”  A few years ago I started recording all the ways in the Bible that God comes and offers His strength for my weakness and meets my needs.  Here is the list so far and I hope to add more!   I would love to hear of other references you have found…

My HOPE- “You are my HOPE” Jer.17:17

My REFUGE- “Be my strong habitation, to which I may resort continually. “ ps. 72:3

 “Oh Lord, my STRENGTH and my FORTRESS, my REFUGE in the day of trouble.” Jer.16:19

“God is our REFUGE and STRENGTH. A very PRESENT HELP in trouble.” Ps. 46:1

“For God is my DEFENSE my merciful God shall come to meet me.” Ps. 59:9, 10

“You are my HIDING PLACE You shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

My WAY, my TRUTH, my LIFE- “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.”  John 14:6

My LIGHT- “The Lord will be to you and EVERLASTING LIGHT and your God your glory.”  Isaiah 60:19 -  “When I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a Light to me.” Micah 7:8

My PORTION- “The Lord is my PORTION…”  Lam 3:24

My PEACE-  “For He Himself is our PEACE…” Eph. 2:14

My JOY-“God, my exceeding JOY.”  Psalm 43:4

MY STRENGTH and SONG- “The Lord is my STRENGTH and my SONG and He has become my SALVATION .” Exodus 15:2

My FREEDOM - “Jesus has made me free…” Romans 8:2

My SATISFACTION-  “He satisfies  the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9

“The Lord is my HELPER; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:6

My CONSTANT-  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

My WISDOM-  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously…” James 1:5  “Call to Me and I will answer you and will show you great and mighty things that you do not know.” Jer.33:3

My COUNSELOR,  My PRINCE of PEACE-  “And His name will be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE. “ Isaiah 9:6

My GUIDE-  “For this our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death.” Ps. 48:14 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Ps. 32:8

My ROCK- “The Lord is my ROCK, my FORTRESS and my DELIVERER” 2 Samuel 22:2  “They remembered that God was their ROCK and the Most High God their REDEEMER.” PS. 78:35

My FAITHFUL ONE- “HE never fails” Zeph. 3:5 “…Great is Thy faithfulness.” Lam.3:23

My FOUNDATION- “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor.3:11

My WATER- “The Fountain of Living Waters.” Jer.2:13

My BREAD - “I am the bread of life.” John 6:48

My HEALER- Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.” Jer.33:6

My GRACE- “for the law was given through Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17  “My GRACE is sufficient for you…” 2 Cor.12;9

My SUN and SHEILD- “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory.” Ps. 84:11

My SUPPLY- “my God shall supply all your needs.” Phil 4:13

My BREATH OF LIFE- “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. “ Job 33:4

My REWARD- “I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. “ Gen. 15:1

“You are the-GOD- WHO-SEES” Gen. 16:13

My FATHER  “I will be a Father to you…” 2 co. 6:18  “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God.” Ps. 68:5

My SHEPHERD- “ The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need..” Ps.23:1  “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:11

My DOOR-   “I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

My REPAIRER, My RESTORER-  “And You shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of streets to dwell in. “  Isaiah 59:12

My REDEEMER- “Their REDEEMER is strong.” Jeremiah 50:34

My ROOT-  “I am the ROOT and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”  Rev. 22: 16

My ADVOCATE- “…we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” I John 2:1

My POTTER- “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” Isaiah 64: 8

Thank you, Jesus, that you care about the cries of our heart and show up for us and shine through us is in our vulnerabilities and weaknesses.   Thank you for giving us what we need.  May You be glorified as we seek and respond to You.