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Children

Psalm 127:3-4

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white – all are precious in his sight. Excitement, wonder, simple faith, forgiving, loving – these are words that come to mind when I think of children. You know, the word ‘children’ is found 1,822 times in 1,524 verses in the Bible. I guess children are rather important in God’s mind.

Listen to Psalm 127:3-4: “Look, children are an heritage from the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hands of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.” You may want to spend more time caring for children. They are our heritage, friends.

Childlike Faith

Matthew 19:14

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

I’m not sure why, but children and dogs seem to be attracted to me. Dogs are social creatures who love attention and affection. Children are similar. Me too! I like attention and affection. And children and dogs can sense it. Of course, my ultimate goal with children is to introduce them to Jesus, my best friend. When Jesus walked around Israel, crowds followed him. I bet many of those were children. The adults were a little upset about it, but Jesus said, “Let the children, and forbid them not, to come unto me. For of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14. Childlike faith pleases God, my friend.

Loving Discipline

Proverbs 22:15

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Did you ever watch two babies playing with one toy? Almost always, they will at some point fight over it. “Mine!” says one; “No, mine!” says the other. Who taught them that?

Proverbs 22:15 tells us, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” The child must be taught a better way right from the start. Loving discipline is the key to a happy family and a well-functioning society.

Joy of Family

Proverbs 17:6

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Often, when playing a live show, I’ll preface one of my original songs by saying, “Grandchildren are a great source of inspiration, so here’s one I wrote for my grandkids.” It’s amazing the bond of love we share. Every time I have to leave them, there’s a sadness in my heart. And when we meet again, extreme rejoicing.

The Bible has it right in Proverbs 17:6 where it says: “Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children are their fathers.” All my life’s accomplishments can’t hold my heart like my children and grandchildren. May you know the joy of family too, friend.

Children are Gifts from God

Psalm 127:3-4

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

When we think of an inheritance, we usually think of money or material possessions. I have heard of people refusing an inheritance, but that’s extremely rare. I mean, who wouldn’t want an inheritance?

Did you know children are an inheritance to us from the Lord? That means they are valuable – not something to be squandered, but cherished and invested in wisely. Listen to Psalm 127:3-4: “See, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.” Why would anyone not want such a beautiful inheritance?

God Corrects Those He Loves

Proverbs 3:11-12

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Training a dog is hard work. It takes time, consistency, determination, understanding. It may not be fun, but it’s well worth the effort. An untrained dog is a big pain in the neck; but a well-trained dog is a delight. So it is with people. Adults that are poorly-trained as children can be a big pain in the neck, but well-trained children become adults who are good to be around.

God knows this, my friend. That’s why he inspired Proverbs 3:11-12, which says, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary at his correction. For whom the Lord loves, he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.”

God’s Gifts are Unimaginable

1 Corinthians 2:9

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

When I was a little boy, my parents provided food, clothing, and a place for me to live. But it wasn’t until I had a family of my own that I saw things beyond the bare necessities that they did for me. I had a deep love for my children which caused me to want to do nice things for them. I planned trips, bought presents, played games – all the good things that are born of love. All sorts of things they couldn’t imagine. That’s the way it is with your heavenly father. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9). You can’t even imagine what good things God has in store for you.

Childish Things

1 Corinthians 13:11

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Children are in the learning stage of life. They haven’t had a lot of life experience, don’t have a lot of knowledge, haven’t had to make the hard decisions as much. That’s why they often make poor choices, or at least, not the best ones, like grabbing a toy away from another child, or hitting, calling names, getting angry and lashing out. Paul says he grew up and put away childish things. We find him saying this in his famous chapter on love: greater than faith, greater than hope, is love, my friend.

“Allow the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

There were times in Jesus’ ministry when He was surrounded by kids. The older folks got upset because the kids were interfering with the work of one so important. They failed to understand we are all like children to God. In fact, in God’s economy it is actually child-like faith that we all need in order to see the kingdom of heaven. One of the dangers in growing older, in fact, is the tendency to get so used to that which we can see, feel, touch and smell that we forget about the spiritual realm of faith: those unseen and hoped-for things.

On the first leg of this year’s Great Circle USA, Debbie and I have found ourselves ministering to children much of the time. I was told by a well-meaning pastor once not to “waste my time” with the children, rather focus on the adults. A few years back a youth minister told me my songs are dated, and I was too old to work with youth, and that they would not be into my music or message. It’s funny how God confounds human reasoning and wisdom. Some of the best times we have had along the way has involved young folks.

Like last year in Rapid City, South Dakota. We had a discussion-in-the-round with a group of college age kids. We talked, shared, listened, played some songs, worshipped the Lord and had a great time. Afterwards, the youth minister, who himself was in college, said he would take us to the place we were staying while they went for a midnight hike. I asked him if it was closed to adults, to which he replied we could go if we wanted to. He was shocked that us older folks wanted to go “hang out” with them as they hiked in the dark. We had a great time, bonded with the kids, and they loved it. We even had some good discussions along the way.

This year our fist concert was in the youth building at Lilburn Alliance. Then we singled out the kids in Nashville during a family concert at a packed fellowship hall. Next, we interacted with kids in Memphis, Tennessee at an inner city church, and then in Waveland, Mississippi we did a concert specifically for the children. They were very responsive, especially after we marched around the building singing “King Jesus Is All”. These kids all learned the 10 Commandments – with hand motions- all within the hour concert!

If there is a generation gap, it’s because we have allowed the natural sin disposition to rule over God’s command to honor your parents, which includes revering elders (literally – grey headed ones). Hey, I have gray hair. Hmm . . . I guess I shouldn’t be able to work with kids. Shhh – don’t tell them, they’re having too much fun. Besides, they might learn something.

Personally, I see God raising up a faith army among the youth of our day that will be able to do amazing things for Jesus in the coming apostasy. May God grant them power to stand firm on the Word of God and reject everything that would compromise their ability to follow the Lord with all their heart. May we follow Jesus’ injunction to bring the children to Him who can shepherd them into all truth, for God’s glory and the benefit of the Kingdom of His dear Son.

As for me, I think I will continue to work with kids as long as I have something to offer. Maybe ‘till I draw may last breath. What generation gap?

Joshua has a job feeding his neighbors cat, and he is learning responsibility.

There are a lot of very special people in our lives and I would like to tell you about Joshua. The really cool part that Joshua has in this ministry is his sensitivity to prayer. His parents tell me that often they will be doing routine things during the day when out of the blue Joshua will suddenly say: “We need to pray for Howie and Debbie, right now”. Then he prays.

So back to Joshua’s piggy bank

Joshua has a job feeding the neighbors cat which is teaching him responsibility, and he is learning to tithe as well. He had this idea to start a Piggy Bank for God. His grandmother brought him a cute yellow pig that has no opening to take the money out. Perfect! Diligently he put in his pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters each time he got paid, and the bank began to fill up.

Last night I was at a Bible Study with his mom when Josh came running up so excited to show me his piggy bank, telling me the story of how it’s his “Piggy Bank for God”. Then he hands it to me and says, “Here, this is for you and Howie because you’re missionaries”.

I can’t quite describe to you the feeling I got, but it was like an overwhelming sense of responsibility having been given this treasure. Immediately I prayed and said “Lord, what would you have this money used for?” Immediately I remembered something from last summer.

As we travel we love to have things to give to children. It helps them remember what they have heard and most children love little treasures. Last year we found The Ten Commandments Coin sold by Living Waters, a ministry of Ray Comfort. This is perfect to share with the children we meet while ministering throughout these United States.

So Young Joshua will be sharing an important part of the Word of God with hundreds of children across America this summer
becausehe was faithful to fill a Piggy Bank for God.

Thank you Josh!

Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.
10. Thou shalt not covet