-----CHILDLIKE FAITH~~~
--(Please Read Matthew 18:3-6)--

--"UNLESS YOU CHANGE AND BECOME LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN, YOU WILL NEVER ENTER THE KING OF HEAVEN."
----(Matthew 18:3)

--Although I was raised in church, I did not really understand the true meaning of 'having childlike faith.'

Sometimes it isn't until we become adults that we understand the meaning of this statement. We all have questions. People sometimes ask us, "Why can't you just have childlike faith?" As we grow our faith increases.

God embraces our questions. When I became a father, I realized simple answers will not do. Children do not always understand. Childlike faith has nothing to do with refusing to ask question. No one asks more questions than a child.

We are called to childlike faith--a faith that has room for questions. We can trust God's goodness even as we wrestle with the mysteries of life. We must study the Holy Bible, ask questions if we do not understand, and perhaps get answers online, by going to a website that is grounded in the everlasting Word of God.

Jesus is the Word of God, made flesh and dwelt among us. (see JOHN 1:14)~~ Yes, Jesus is alive right now. We can go to Him with our questions, and we can ask Him to lead us to a true Christian that does know the answers, as His Word specifies. Jesus always answers us. Maybe He will guide us to the clarification through His Word, by using a Concordance. Don't ever give up hope. Jesus is our blessed Hope. Jesus is as close as the mention of His Name. Through the Holy Spirit, He speaks to us. It may take time as we keep learning what He has to teach us. Some learn faster than others, and some might be able to help guide us to our Pastor on how to ask the question. And if you keep asking, seeking, and knocking on His door, He 'will' answer. Please read Matthew Chapter 7 verses 7 thru 11).

--UPPER ROOM/TT~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--Another way to think about this is below:
---CHILDLIKE FAITH~~
**Question: "Does the Bible instruct us to have childlike faith?"

**Answer: Unquestionably, faith is the essence of the Christian life. Faith is exhorted throughout the Bible and is presented as an absolute necessity. In fact, “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). The entire chapter of Hebrews 11 is about faith and those who possessed it. Faith is a gift from God, as we see in Ephesians 2:8–9 and not something we come up with on our own. All Christians have received the gift of faith from God, and faith is part of the armor of God—the shield with which we protect ourselves from the “flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16).
--In Matthew 18:2 Jesus says that we must “become as little children” in order to enter the kingdom of God. The context of Jesus’ statement is the disciples’ question, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (verse 1). In response, Jesus “called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me’” (verses 2–5).

So, as the disciples focus on what constitutes “greatness” in Heaven, Jesus provides a new perspective: the way “up” is “down.” Meekness is required (cf. Matthew 5:5). Jesus exhorts the disciples (and us) to seek to possess a childlike modesty in addition to their faith. Those who willingly take the lowest position are the greatest in heaven’s eyes. A young child is destitute of ambition, pride, and haughtiness and is therefore a good example for us. Children are characteristically humble and teachable. They aren’t prone to pride or hypocrisy. Humility is a virtue rewarded by God; as James says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

Although faith is not mentioned in Matthew 18:1–5, we know that it isn’t just humility that ushers a person into Heaven; it is faith in the Son of God. A humble, unpretentious faith could rightly be called a “childlike faith.”

--When Jesus wanted to bless the children, He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:14–15). How does a child receive a gift? With openness, honesty, and unbridled joy. That type of happy authenticity should be a hallmark of our faith as we receive God’s gift in Christ.~~~~~~~~~~~~
----HILLSONG KIDS~~ "You're The One! <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOeoCNHyMok>
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--Loving Jesus, like a Child Who Needs a Father~~

---LIVING OUT LOUD~~

--While staying at a hotel in Austin, Texas, I noticed a card lying on the desk in my room. It said:

--WELCOME!
-Our prayer is that your stay here will be restful
and that your travels will be fruitful.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and make
His face shine upon you. You are loved!

--This card from the company that manages the hotel made me want to know more, so I accessed their website and read about their culture, strength, and values, In a winsome way, they seek to pursue excellence and live out their faith in the workplace.

Their philosophy reminded me of Peter's words to the followers of Jesus scattered throughout Asia Minor. He encouraged them to demonstrate their faith in Christ in the society where they lived. Even as they faced threats and persecution. Peter told them not to be afraid, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" - (1 PETER 3:15).

A friend of mine calls this "living a lifestyle that demands an explanation." No matter where we live or work, may we in God's strength live out our faith today--always ready to reply gently and respectfully to everyone who asks the reason for our hope.~~
--ODB/DM
[ There are many people that do not have an earthly father or perhaps even a mother that needs to feel loved so much. Jesus said, This is My Commandment that you love one anther even as I have loved you." We all need love. From babies to adults. So many are in Jail or Prisons and some have given testimonies that they 'never had a mother or father's love here on this Earth.' As we minister to those in Prison, we be sure to let them know how much they are loved, especially by the Creator of this Universe, Jesus. He tells us, "You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms."
Would you reach out to someone who does not have an earthly mother or father? Or even maybe someone living in Prison or Jail. We know that Paul did most of his Ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ while he was in Prison. Thank you and may our Lord Jesus bless you for showing His love to others, no matter how old they are or what kind of lifestyle they have. Everybody needs LOVE. "GOD IS LOVE." -(1 John 4: verses 7 thru 8).]
---"I Need A Father"/ By: Starfield ~~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt8Q_rnCJkw>
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--Yes, the Bible does instruct us to have child-like faith and to "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
--(Proverbs 22:6)

When the Disciples told Jesus to tell the little children to go away, Jesus said, "Allow the little children to come unto Me, for such is the Kingdom of God."
Jesus loves little children.

"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." --(Isaiah 54 verse 13)~
--Lauren Daigle / "Look Up Child" ~~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Nx2hEhVRE&feature=youtu.be>
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---LIKE A LITTLE CHILD~~

--"Unless you change
and become like
little children, you
will never enter
the kingdom of
Heaven."-(Matthew 18:3)--
----
--ONE EVENING many years ago, after saying a goodnight prayer with our two-year-old daughter, my wife was surprised by a question, "Mommy, where is Jesus?"

Luann replied, "Jesus is in Heaven and He's everywhere, right here with us. And He can be in your heart if you ask Him to come in."

"I want Jesus to be in my heart."
"One of these days you can ask Him."
"I want Him to be in my heart now."

--So our little girl said, "Jesus, please come into my heart and be with me." And that started her faith journey with Him.

When Jesus's disciples asked Him who was the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven, He called a little child to come and join them (Matthew 18: 1 thru 2). "Unless you change and become like little children," Jesus said, "you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven...And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." (VV 3 thru 5).

Through the eyes of Jesus we can see a trusting child as our example of faith. And we are told to welcome all who open their hearts to Him. "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these, Jesus said.~~ --'JESUS LOVES ME' / Chris Tomlin ~~ <https://youtu.be/5rnOT2eUBB0>
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----IT REALLY DIDN'T MATTER~~

--The young people at 'Shively Christian Church', led at the time by Youth Pastor Dave Stone, were fiercely competitive with their neighbor, 'Shively Baptist', in all things, especially softball. They were also serious about their Christianity, faithfully attending the Summer Bible Camp led by the youth Pastor.

-One week, the Bible lesson was about Jesus washing his disciples' feet, from John 13. To make the servanthood lesson stick, Pastor Stone divided the kids into groups and told them to go out and find a practical way to be servants. -

"I want you to be Jesus in the city for the next two hours," he said. "If Jesus were here, what would he do? Figure out how he would help people."

Two hours later the kids reconvened in Pastor Stone's living room to report what they had done.

One group had done two hours of yard work for an elderly man. Another group bought ice cream treats and delivered them to several widows in the Church. A third group visited a church member in the hospital and gave him a card. Another group went to a Nursing Home and sang Christmas carols. One elderly resident remarked that it was the warmest Christmas she could remember.

But when the fifth group stood up and reported what they had done, everyone groaned. This group had made its way to none other than their arch rival, 'Shively Baptist', where they had asked the pastor if he knew someone who needed help. The pastor sent them to the home of an elderly woman who needed yard work done. There, for two hours, they mowed grass. raked the yard and trimmed hedges.

When they were getting ready to leave, the woman called the group together and thanked them for their hard work. "I don't know how I could get along without you," she told them. You kids at 'Shively Baptist' are always coming to my rescue."

"Shively Baptist!" interrupted Pastor Stone. "I sure hope you set her straight and told her you were from 'Shively Christian Church'."

"Why, no, we didn't" the kids said, "We didn't think it mattered."

--Chicken Soup For the Christian Soul/Charles W Colson~
[Jesus said, "Whatsoever you have done unto the least of these, (Mine), you have done it unto Me."--(Matthew 25:40) ~~]

--LIKE A LITTLE CHILD~~

"Let the little children
come to Me, and do not
hinder them."
--(Mark 10:14)--

--THE LITTLE girl moved joyfully and gracefully to the music of praise. She was the only one in the aisle but that didn't keep her from spinning and waving her arms and lifting her feet to the music. He mother, a smile on her lips, didn't try to stop her.

My heart lifted as I watched, and I longed to join her--but didn't. I'd long ago lost the unselfconscious expression of joy and wonder of my childhood. even though we are meant to grow and mature and put childish ways behind us, we were never meant to lose the joy and wonder, especially in our relationship with God.

When Jesus lived on Earth, He welcomed little children to Him and often referred to them in His teaching (Matthew 11:25; 18:3 21:16). On one occasion, He rebuked His disciples for attempting to keep parents from bringing their children to Him for a blessing, saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mark 10:14). Jesus was referring to the childlike characteristics that ready us to receive Christ--joy and wonder, but also simplicity, dependence, trust, and humility.

Childlike wonder and joy (and more) open our hearts to be more receptive to Him. He is waiting for us to run into His arms. ~~

--"Abba (Daddy), Father, help us to be more childlike in our relationship with You. We long to be filled with wonder at all You have done. In the Name above all other names, Jesus we pray. ~ amen~ "

--"Oh What A Father" / Mark and Sarah Tillman ~~ <https://youtu.be/_KRzV-dHZpw>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---TRUST~~

--Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God
as a little child will never enter it." --[Luke 18:17/ NRSV]

~~ONE DAY last summer, I decided to go swimming. It was a windy day with few people on the beach--only some surfers taking pleasure in the waves. I admired their skill and bravery. When one of the surfboards came closer to me, I was amazed to see a young boy sitting on it holding his father's legs.
He did not seem afraid; he smiled and looked quite happy. I was impressed by the young boy's trust in his father. He was calm floating on the waves because his father was close to Him.

In the sea of life, we can be calm and even take pleasure when we keep hold of our heavenly Father. Jesus tells us to have faith like a child. Whether we are happy or in tears, God loves us, and we can trust that God will calm our fears and keep hold of us always.~~

"Heavenly Father, thank You for being with us in every moment of our lives. Help us to focus not on our fears but on You. We know that You are always with us and watching over us. In Jesus Name.~amen"
[Friends, whatever your method of worship, as long as you are not disturbing others, go ahead and lift your hands. You are lifting them to Jesus. \o/ ]
--UPPER ROOM/LP~
--"Waiting Here For You" / Passion (with Christy Nockels, Martin Smith, Chris Tomlin) <https://youtu.be/em8EAHrW9fY>
~~~~~~