Thus says the Lord: “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. Jeremiah 10:2 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this warning. Lord, I can see how those without You run after things which do not profit, they struggle with the future for it is a frightening thing, they have no hope in You nor direction from Your Word. Lord Jesus, please help us to remember not to be frightened by the things which the lost are frightened by. Lord, help us to be wise and cling to Your truth, not mankind’s ways. Lord, teach us daily from Your Word, that we might honor You in all things. Please hold us in Your ways, guiding us by truth and Your Holy Spirit. Lord, I do not need to fear, for You have my soul safe in Your hands. Thank You for that security. Thank You for that comfort. Lord, for those who have yet to know You, I humbly request their hearts be softened, their eyes opened, their ears unplugged, that they may see You, hear You, and believe. Thank You, Jesus for all Your wonderous works. I praise Your holy name. Amen.
Matthew 18:1-5NKJV — At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 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. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
To fully grasp the point of these words one needs to understand children, little children specifically.
Watching a young child speaks volumes.
A child’s hands is how they explore their world and how they express themselves.
Those hands can say: cherished.
They will clutch tightly to a favorite toy with one hand while busy about life with the other.
Those hands can say: ignorant.
Because of their very limited understanding, they often grasp things which are dangerous to them, not realizing what hurt truly is.
Those hands can say: emotion.
A child might softly stroke another, showing their love, or strike out, showing their frustration.
Those hands can say: learning.
When they’ve industriously unrolled a new round to t.p. or filled the CD slot with coins.
Those hands can say: joy.
While splashing and scooping and pouring bath water from one receptacle to another, everything about them tells of their enjoyment.
Those hands can say: secure.
By willingly throwing aside whatever to reach both up to their father.
Before their pink lips can form the words, “hold me!” their hands speak.
It’s not a half-hearted request, but an earnest plea.
Those fingers and arms are at their fullest extent, the longing of the heart is so evident in those wee hands.
For there is such innocence and trust in a little child who is loved and cherished.
Their small countenance is completely altered when the plea is heard and they snuggle safely into the neck and shoulder of their adored father.
That is how we should love our Heavenly Father.
The faith, trust, and security of a little child in their earthly father is what our hearts need to learn to find in God.
Jesus showed us what that looked like.
He spoke of it clearly and then lived it out daily.
We have so much to learn from a little child.
Matthew 18:10 NKJV — “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”
Let us, each one, find inspiration in the faith of a little child.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your showing us what love and trust in God looks like. Thank You that we have Your Word to learn from and Your example to follow. Lord, thank You that no matter what kind of earthly father we have, You show us what we have in our Heavenly Father. Lord, please continue to help me to have child-like faith. To throw aside everythingy, that I might cling to You alone. Lord, especially when I’m struggling, remind me of the security I have in Your salvation and the love of my Heavenly Father. Thank You so much for all You have done on my behalf. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the Lord ;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
Psalms 15:1-5 NKJV
I want to dwell with the Lord.
My heart wants to live with God each and every day.
And I can!
Through Jesus’s sacrifice, my salvation is secure.
The Holy Spirit resides in me, giving me my heart’s desire of dwelling with the Lord.
Of course I still long to be physically present with Him, but that time will come.
In the interim, I look to scripture daily as my guide and direction for the fruit of a life surrendered before Him.
Therefore, I love these verses.
Words of guidance: walk uprightly, work righteousness, speak truth in my heart, be careful of my words, be cautious with my speech.
Words of comfort: “He who does these things shall never be moved.”
My physical place of residence has changed many times, but my spiritual dwelling with the Lord is secure.
John 10:28 NKJV — “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
What comfort!
To know my soul is safe in the hand of Jesus.
Thus I dwell in today as His bondservant, dead to my personal short-sighted dreams and alive in Christ and His plans for me.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for Your Word. How great and wonderful it is to live daily for You and with You in my life! How great a comfort and assurance there is from knowing nothing on this earth can snatch my life from Your hand. Lord, I am Your humble servant, do with me as You see fit. My life was nothing before You and I know it is only through Your sacrifice that I find salvation and safety. This day is Yours. Please help me to walk in Your ways, keeping Your Word, living unto You in all things. Lord, please put a guard on my lips, that I might not sin against You. Please place a hedge of protection around my mind, that my thoughts might be only truth. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
She has a few words she uses, but she’s yet to speak fluidly.
Her curiosity and joy at life are infectious.
Her little smiles, her little hands grasping toys or books or patting, her little eyes looking up so innocently, all these brings us such joy.
And while she is learning about her world and the people in it, she’s asking:
What is it?
It’s something I ask my Heavenly Father frequently.
I’ll hear of an event, see something on the news, or be surprised by a post and my heart will leap:
“God! What is it?”
“Why did that person do that? What caused the behavior there? What were they thinking?”
But He always leads me gently back to the truth.
No matter what I see on the surface there’s something deeper.
A spiritual battle going on which often affects us when we least realize it.
So, again comes the question:
“What is it?”
And added to this:
“How do I pray?”
The answers are as varied and numerous as one might expect.
Each circumstance is unique and therefore holds different points to pray for.
Sometimes, I don’t receive an answer right away and therefore turn to scripture.
I ask God to give me a verse or group of verses to pray.
I seek Him personally, to be sure nothing is hindering my prayers.
Sometimes, I just pray and thank God for whatever He is doing that I don’t understand.
But I am so blessed to be able to go before God, the Creator, and lift up people.
The privilege of talking with the Almighty about anything and everything is overwhelming good.
To find peace and security in His voice, His direction, His Sovereignty.
It’s comfort to my soul, not unlike when our granddaughter gets lifted up to her father’s shoulder.
She leans in and rests her head on him and smiles.
She’s content in the arms of her father.
I can be as well.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for letting me lift up my heart to You. Thank You for opportunities to pray. Lord, thank You for the comfort I find in You and in Your Word. Lord Jesus, please hold me in Your arms and continue to teach me how to pray. I want to be able to stand in the gap, to lift up others bed You, to know You as a Father and a friend. Lord Jesus, thank You for walking with me daily. I give You my all. Please be glorified in me today. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 