Heartprints

Cultivating hearts to Change Well

This amazing truth drew me to God when I was six and has kept me in awe of Him ever since, “His gentle loving heart is attentive, carefully listening, and waiting for even a silent cry for help.” He is not concerned with how young or old we are, how rich or poor, how smart or talented or even what color of skin we have. He is only interested in the fact that we trust Him and have come to Him for help.  A cry for help directed to His ear is many times our first act of faith in Him. He loves to be known and trusted. God is love and He is in active pursuit to express His loving self to those created in His image.

We don’t have to speak out loud to pray. He is the most powerful and authoritative being that exists, the Eternal I AM. Yet, we don’t have to fill out a request form, call for an appointment, or wait in line for His help. He is creator and sustainer of all, the all-knowing all powerful, all sufficient God who chooses to come and make His home in the hearts of any man, woman, boy or girl who will put their faith and trust in the saving power of Jesus’ death burial and resurrection.

He knows us, loves us, and cares about the things that concern us. He knows our needs before we do and is ready and waiting for us to turn to Him for help. Because He’s willing to live in us we don’t ever have to be alone again. (Hebrews 13:5)

He knows our thoughts. He made us. He understands our conflict of emotions; our weaknesses, the turmoil of our doubts and uncertainties, the clash of a desire to obey Him with a selfish old nature that wants to do things our own way. He is neither diminished nor in anyway put off by our weak sinful selves. At all times He remembers and chooses to never forget that we are but dust. (Psalm 103:14; 139:1-17)

With time, change just becomes greater and more convoluted. As we grow, it grows in its complexity.  In order for our children to maneuver through broad oceans of change, without being overwhelmed with waves of doubt, we must help them establish a firm understanding of our loving Creator God who longs to be their Father.

The first lesson for every child is, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving Father God.” Understanding His love for us that moved His heart to create us in His image will give them a firm foundation for standing strong. It is the eye in the storm of life. This knowledge produces the peace that passes understanding. It becomes the very core of our faith in Him. This truth keeps us company on cold lonely nights, lights the dark path of the unknown future, and compels us to cry out to Him when we feel our selves overwhelmed with changes that we face. (Philippians 4:6-7)

 

 

Suzi Ciliberti works for Christar, a Missions Agency that plants churches among least-reached Asians worldwide. She served in Japan for two years as a single missionary and another nine with her husband and two children, then the family returned to the states. She and her husband have been serving in the US Mobilization Center since 2000. As a part of the Member Care Department, Suzi is consultant to families with children. She has been working as a children’s teacher since she was 17 and began her training under Child Evangelism Fellowship. She has taught in the church, as a school teacher for two years in a Christian elementary school, and as a speaker for adults training to work with children. She has also trained children, who are a part of families that work overseas, in their identity in Christ. She brings 44 years of teaching experience to her work. She loves creative writing as well as teaching and has found great fulfillment in combining the two as she blogs for Heartprints. She finds it a great privilege and joy to serve the Lord and His people. One of her favorite verses is Deuteronomy 4:10b, "Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children."