Some things sound so simple when you first hear them - right?  Like puzzles, they're a snap and such a joy to put together . . . NOT!  They're of the devil!  K.T. is the puzzle picker in our home and for some strange reason (that seems to bring her joy) she picks the hardest puzzles known to man, with a missing piece, no less.  But solely to make her happy, we do battle with the devil and dive into the most aggravating pastime known to man.  (Before it's done I will be speaking in non-interpretable tongues!)

"When I was a child I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me" 1Corinthians 13:11 (NIV).  Easy, right?  The symbolism here is evident.  We're children when we follow the world, it's ways, It's wisdom.  We put childish ways behind us when we deny our selfish nature, put on the yoke of Jesus, and follow His teachings.  (I don't hear any snapping going on!)

Some things sound so simple.  Living for Jesus was never meant to be one of those things.  It can't be done.  At least not until we set the childishness of self aside.  Then we can begin to walk and act as adults - filled with God's Spirit.  The writer James says that as an adult we'll gain wisdom that is pure.  Our demeanor will be peace-loving, considerate and submissive.  We'll become full of mercy, doing good works.  We'll be known as impartial and sincere folk who just reek of righteousness that is absent of greed or selfish ambition.  Do you actually know anyone who fits this bill?  To put our childish ways behind us we must give our whole heart, our whole selves over to Jesus.  In doing that, something miraculous happens and we become this whole new creature called an adult - Jesus grown!  Some things sound so simple, right? This is not one of those things!

Take on the yoke of Christ, be a church of compassion!

Merry Christmas!

-Dale