Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

January 6
Tuesday


FAITH
OF A CHILD

READ:
Matthew 18:1-5
___________________________________________________

Unless you are
converted and become
as little children, you
will by no means enter
the kingdom of heaven.
__Matthew 18:3
___________________________________________________

One Sunday I heard Mike talk about his relationship with his two fathers--the one who raised him as a child, and his Father in heaven.

First he described his childhood trust toward his earthly father as "simple and uncomplicated." He expected his dad to fix broken things and to give advice. he dreaded displeasing him, however, because he often forgot that his father's love and forgiveness always followed.

Mike continued, "Some years ago I made a mess of things and hurt a lot of people. Because of my guilt, I ended a happy, simple relationship with my heavenly Father. I forgot that I could ask Him to fix what I had broken and seek his advice."

Years passed. Eventually Mike became desperate for God, yet he wondered what to do. His pastor said simply, "Say you're sorry to God, and mean it!"

Instead, Mike asked complicated questions, like: "How does this work?" and "What if...?"

Finally his pastor prayed, "Please, God, give mike the faith of a child!" Mike later testified joyfully, "The Lord did!"


Mike found closeness with his heavenly Father. The key for him and for us is to practice the simple and uncomplicated faith of a child.
__Joanie Yoder
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`````````````````Have you noticed that the childlike faith```````````
`````````````````````````Of a little girl or boy```````````````````
```````````````````Has so often shown to older folks``````````````
````````````````How to know salvation's joy? __Branon````````````
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Faith shines brightest in a childlike heart.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 18:1-5************

1 At that time the disciples
came to Jesus, saying,
"Who then is greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?"

2 Then Jesus called a little
child to Him, set him in the
midst of them, 3 and said,
"Assuredly, I say to you,
unless you are converted
and become as little
children, you will by no
means enter the kingdom of
heaven. 4 Therefore
whoever humbles himself
as this little child is the
greatest in the kingdom of
heaven. 5 Whoever receives
one little child like this in
My name receives Me."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The teaching in Matthew 18 comes at a critical time in Christ's earthly
ministry. In the previous chapter, we are given the record of Christ's
transfiguration--His radiant glory on display. That magnificent event,
however, was followed by real-world struggles and issues. Jesus'
encounter with a father and his demon-possessed son and a debate on
taxes quickly reminded the disciples of the challenges of life. In it all,
though, Christ was sufficient. Glory displayed on the mountain, a son
rescued by divine authority, and taxes paid out of the mouth of a fish
all confirmed the unique greatness of the Master. How unfortunate
that, following these expressions of Christ's greatness, the disciples
would want to debate the issue of who is greatest in the kingdom. NO
debate was needed--Christ is! __Bill Crowder