And He called a little child to Himself and put himself in the midst of them, and said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven...
—Matthew 18:2-3
One thing children are not complicated. Children have no trouble letting you know what they want, running into your arms when they are afraid, or giving you a big generous kiss, sometimes for no apparent reason. They are not sophisticated enough to hide their hearts or feelings very well, and as a result, communicating with them can be easy and refreshing.
That's the way God wants us to be when we talk to Him. We need to approach God with childlike simplicity and faith. Just as children are naturally inclined to trust their parents completely, we also need to be guileless, pure, and free from doubt as we trust God. Then we can experience God's miracle-working power and see things change.
We do not want to be childish in our relationships with God; we want to be childlike. The Lord is not looking for complicated relationships. He is looking for sincere hearts and childlike faith. He wants us to approach Him as little children approach people they love. He wants us to let Him know what we want (see Philippians 4:6) and to run to Him when we feel threatened or afraid (Psalm 91:1-7). He wants us to show our affection for Him, sometimes for no apparent reason (see Psalm 34:1) and to share our hearts openly with Him (see Psalm 62:8).
Love God Today: “Lord, help me to have a pure, simple, childlike faith and love for You.”
Faithful Where We Are
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.”
Luke 12:42–44
Charles Spurgeon was the most famous preacher of his generation, regularly speaking to crowds of thousands each week in his church in London. His sermons were reprinted in the newspapers, and for many services, tickets were required for those who wished to attend. Yet he did not start out that way. Instead Spurgeon began his ministry in small and obscure villages, speaking to a handful of people at a time. Spurgeon said, “I am perfectly sure that, if I had not been willing to preach to those small gatherings of people in obscure country places, I should never have had the privilege of preaching to thousands of men and women in large buildings all over the land.”
Often we say that if we had more money we would give more, or if we had more time we would do more. Yet in reality, the test of our stewardship and faithfulness is not what we would do with greater resources and opportunities, but what we are doing right now with what we already have. A person who is selfish and stingy with a little would not change if he suddenly became wealthy. A teacher who does not prepare for a class of six would not automatically become diligent for a class of sixty or even six hundred. Rather than seeking more, we should realize that we will give an account to God for our stewardship of what He has given us, and seek to use every day to the fullest to accomplish as much as we can for Him.
Luke 12:42–44
Charles Spurgeon was the most famous preacher of his generation, regularly speaking to crowds of thousands each week in his church in London. His sermons were reprinted in the newspapers, and for many services, tickets were required for those who wished to attend. Yet he did not start out that way. Instead Spurgeon began his ministry in small and obscure villages, speaking to a handful of people at a time. Spurgeon said, “I am perfectly sure that, if I had not been willing to preach to those small gatherings of people in obscure country places, I should never have had the privilege of preaching to thousands of men and women in large buildings all over the land.”
Often we say that if we had more money we would give more, or if we had more time we would do more. Yet in reality, the test of our stewardship and faithfulness is not what we would do with greater resources and opportunities, but what we are doing right now with what we already have. A person who is selfish and stingy with a little would not change if he suddenly became wealthy. A teacher who does not prepare for a class of six would not automatically become diligent for a class of sixty or even six hundred. Rather than seeking more, we should realize that we will give an account to God for our stewardship of what He has given us, and seek to use every day to the fullest to accomplish as much as we can for Him.
Today’s Growth Principle:
God sees the faithfulness that man may not notice, and He always rewards those who are true to Him.
Come as a Little Child
by Joyce Meyer - posted May 29, 2016And He called a little child to Himself and put himself in the midst of them, and said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven...
—Matthew 18:2-3
One thing children are not complicated. Children have no trouble letting you know what they want, running into your arms when they are afraid, or giving you a big generous kiss, sometimes for no apparent reason. They are not sophisticated enough to hide their hearts or feelings very well, and as a result, communicating with them can be easy and refreshing.
That's the way God wants us to be when we talk to Him. We need to approach God with childlike simplicity and faith. Just as children are naturally inclined to trust their parents completely, we also need to be guileless, pure, and free from doubt as we trust God. Then we can experience God's miracle-working power and see things change.
We do not want to be childish in our relationships with God; we want to be childlike. The Lord is not looking for complicated relationships. He is looking for sincere hearts and childlike faith. He wants us to approach Him as little children approach people they love. He wants us to let Him know what we want (see Philippians 4:6) and to run to Him when we feel threatened or afraid (Psalm 91:1-7). He wants us to show our affection for Him, sometimes for no apparent reason (see Psalm 34:1) and to share our hearts openly with Him (see Psalm 62:8).
Love God Today: “Lord, help me to have a pure, simple, childlike faith and love for You.”
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