To and 'Frow: November 2012

Every week at Community Bible Study someone shares what God has been teaching them through a devotion. This week, it was my turn :) I had prayed and prayed for God to give me the words to share. At 3AM last Tuesday morning, I was up with Lily Kate (her cold was bothering her) and when I got back in bed, I couldn't go back to sleep. It was at 3AM that God gave me the topic for my devotion: Child-like Faith. It encouraged me to write it and I hope it will encourage you to read it.

Child-like Faith

CBS Devotion- Nov 14th

Luke 18:17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

What does childlike faith look like? For the past 4 years, I have been learning what it looks like through my two daughters.

I believe childlike faith is full, whole hearted, holding nothing back. It is loving with reckless abandon.

~Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

~Lily Kate (my 4 year old) knows that when she prays for something it is taken care of. A few months ago, we were praying for someone to feel better. We prayed together right when we found out they were sick. That night at bedtime, I mentioned it again. She said “Mommy, we already asked God to heal her. He will!” Such an example of true faith!

Children are so care-free, they trust that their parent will provide for their needs, they know that Mommy and Daddy will have their next meal and the clothes for them to wear and there is no room for doubt or worry in child-like faith.

~Matthew 6:25-27 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Have you ever seen the way that a 2-year-old dresses herself (wearing a tiger tail to CBS or her shoes on the wrong feet)? Or how joyously a child can sing the wrong words to a praise song at the top of her lungs? Faith like a child is blind to what others think

~1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Too often we limit ourselves or fail to speak up because of concern of what others might think of us.

Child-like faith is strong unshakeable, and unwavering, because God is unchanging.

~Matthew 17:20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Have you ever thanked God for Caterpillars? Your blanket? Have you ever thanked him that the library book you love is available? Child-like faith is grateful, even for the little things.

~1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Child-like faith is simple and pure-

~Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

~One sister evangelizes the other on a regular basis saying “All you have to do is ask Jesus into your heart.” What a truth she is speaking! How we often complicate things- the truth of the gospel is simple and pure.

Child-like faith sees the good in a situation first

~Hebrews 13:5-6 Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

~Aubrey was reading a book with her grandfather. Part of the story was about a storm and her grandpa commented how scary it was. She spoke God’s truth to him “Do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard, Yes!” (Luke 1:13)

Child-like faith is dependent and trusting, Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Almost every day last summer, Aubrey would ask at some point during the day “Jesus coming?” I tried to answer her by reassuring her that Yes Jesus is coming someday. She would then ask “Jesus hold me?”

She not only is anxiously awaiting the return of our Savior, she knows the best place in the world is in his lap. Oh, what we can learn from little children. I challenge each of you to evaluate your faith today- is it child-like?

God, give me the faith of a little child

Who trusts so implicitly,

Who simply and gladly believes Your Word,

And never would question You. —Showerman

Showerman quote from Daily Bread: Childlike Faith May 9, 2009 — by Cindy Hess Kasper

About six months ago, the Kikers and the Bells asked us if we would be interested in going to Orlando with them- sans kids. With a lot of planning, and some awesome grandparents- we were able to get away for 4 days to Orlando. We drove so that took up two of the days, but we enjoyed each others company in the car rides.

Our first night there we went to the outlets- where Stephen spoiled me and got me a Coach bag!

Then we ate at Bahama Breeze (awesomeness) and went to Downtown Disney.

Buzz and Woody at Legoland

Our first day in park we went to Islands of Adventure. We were the main muggles in the group, but enjoyed Hogsmeade and Hogsworth anyway. The crowds were pretty light both days! I think the longest we waited was probably 30-40 minutes.