BABY TALK
 
Melissa loved spending time with her two little nephews, Jason and Ryan.  At 3 years old, Jason loved to run and jump and play like lots of boys his age.  He would sing little songs like "The B-I-B-L-E" and "Old MacDonald."  Mostly he liked to play "pretend."  He would pretent he was his Poppy.  Or he would pretend he was driving his car to work. 
 
One year old Ryan liked to try and do everything his big brouther did.  If Jason was playing in his playhouse, Ryan would be in the playhouse with him.  If Jason was molding shapes with PlayDoh, Ryan wanted to use PlayDoh.  If Jason was tossing a ball with his Daddy, Ryan wanted to toss the ball too. 
 
Ryan could DO many of the things that Jason could do, but little Ryan could not SAY all the things older Jason could say.  Ryan only used baby talk.  He said things like "Mama," "Daddy," and "ball." 
 
Melissa thought about her two sweet nephews.  She loved each one and considered them special gifts from the Lord.  She also prayed for them.  Mostly she prayed that they would come to know Jesus as their Savior while they were still young. 
 
One day Melissa was having a hard time trying to understand what little Ryan was saying to her.  He said it over and over, but she had trouble knowing what he meant.  "Boy," she said, "it sure is a good thing that you don't talk baby talk forever." 
 
Think how strange it would be for children who are 3 to talk like babies who are one.  Or, think what it would be like for an adult to talk like a little child.  That would not be normal.  It would not be good.
 
That's how many Christians are spiritually.  They ask Jesus to be their Savior and forgive their sins, but they never grow to know Jesus better.  They never read their Bible.  They only go to church once in awhile.  They don't spend much time talking to God in prayer.  They stay baby Christians.  Even many adults can be baby Christians. 
 
Paul, the apostle, wrote this letter to the Christians in Corinth (I Corinthians 3): "Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I could not talk to you as mature, grown up Christians.  I had to talk to you as if you were babies in the Christian life.  I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you were not able to handle anything stronger.  You still are not ready for solid food."  Paul knew that the people in the city of Corinth had not grown in the Lord.  They WERE Christians.  But they were content to stay as baby Christians.  How sad!
 
God's Word also says, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  (II Peter 3:18).  That verse means that we should get to know Jesus better.  How can we do that?  By going to church as often as you can.  By reading the Bible every day so you are learning more about God.  By talking to God in prayer every day.  By telling other people about Jesus.  By trusting in Jesus more and more and obeying Him.
 
God doesn't want us to stay as baby Christians.  He wants us to be growing Christians.  Are you a growing Christian??????
 
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If you have any questions about this Mousetales story or if you want to talk further about receiving Jesus as your Savior, please e-mail Miss Missy at cef-cm@bwkip.com
 
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Mousetales is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Columbia-Montour Counties, Inc.