[SPEAKER_00]: On our third day, focusing on what it means to be the child of God, we're going to look at how we can live with childlike faith.
[SPEAKER_00]: One of the wonders of being children of the creator and sustainer of all is our ability to let go of fear and live with trust.
[SPEAKER_00]: May you experience peace and courage today as you allow God to take burdens off of your shoulders and live
[SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Mark 10, verse 15, Scripture says, truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
[SPEAKER_00]: To have faith like a child is to blindly trust the goodness, care, leadership, and provision of a father.
[SPEAKER_00]: Jesus continually called his disciples to a lifestyle of surrender and trust in Him.
[SPEAKER_00]: But never so simply as in Mark 10 verses 13 through 16, Scripture says, and they were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.
[SPEAKER_00]: But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
[SPEAKER_00]: truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
[SPEAKER_00]: And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
[SPEAKER_00]: Mark 10 teaches that it's in having child-like faith that we will receive the kingdom of God.
[SPEAKER_00]: Child-like faith is what fills us with the unshakenable hope that we will one day dwell in heaven with our Father for all of eternity.
[SPEAKER_00]: As Christians, we've placed all our hope in the truth that Jesus came, died, and rose again, and that if we place our trust in Him, we will have a resurrection like His.
[SPEAKER_00]: We succeed in having childlike faith when it comes to salvation.
[SPEAKER_00]: But often we fail in placing our trust and our heavenly Father on a daily basis.
[SPEAKER_00]: Being the child of God affords us the opportunity to live under his constant provision and leadership.
[SPEAKER_00]: As our good father, he longs to provide for us a wonderfully abundant life, full of joy, peace, purpose, laughter, friends, and unconditional love.
[SPEAKER_00]: But so often we go our own way and live our lives apart from all that's available to us in God.
[SPEAKER_00]: Whether it be by a lack of revelation, impatience, fear, wrong teaching or past experiences, we still often fail to have faith that God will shepherd us to His perfect plans.
[SPEAKER_00]: God is calling you to a greater lifestyle of childlike faith.
[SPEAKER_00]: He is calling you to place your trust in Him alone for your finances, relationships, future past and present.
[SPEAKER_00]: Hebrews 116 says, and without faith, it is impossible to place him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists, and that he rewards those who see him.
[SPEAKER_00]: What brings our father pleasure is unadulterated, unveiled, and glorious relationship with his children.
[SPEAKER_00]: He longs for us to draw near to him with full assurance that he is good, real, and that he longs to bless us.
[SPEAKER_00]: take time and guided prayer to place your full trust in your heavenly Father, confess to him any ways in which you have been living in your own strength, ask him to show you the root of your lack of faith, and receive his help in pursuing a lifestyle of childlike faith.
[SPEAKER_00]: May you experience the transcendent peace and joy that only comes through living by faith.
[SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, meditate on the importance of having childlike faith, reflect on what this first means for your life.
[SPEAKER_00]: Second Corinthians 5-7, for we walk by faith, not by sight.
[SPEAKER_00]: And next, where do you struggle in trusting God?
[SPEAKER_00]: What area of your life is not producing the fruit of His goodness, reality, and love for you?
[SPEAKER_00]: Where are you under the stress of living in your own strength?
[SPEAKER_00]: Proverbs 29, 23 says, One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
[SPEAKER_00]: And last, confess your need of God's help and ask Him to help you live with increased faith.
[SPEAKER_00]: Lay down any ways in which you've been living apart from faith and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with patience and trust in your heavenly Father.
[SPEAKER_00]: First Peter 5-6 says, humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time, he may exalt you.
[UNKNOWN]: Thank you very much.
[SPEAKER_00]: In speaking of Abraham, Romans 4, 20 through 21 says, no unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
[SPEAKER_00]: That may we be children as faithful to our God and loving Heavenly Father as Abraham was.
[SPEAKER_00]: May we pursue wholeheartedly the abundant life that comes from trusting in God's reality and nearness.
[SPEAKER_00]: And may we be greater reflections of God's unconditional love and purpose for all those weary and burdened by the stress of doing life apart from the help of the Father.
[SPEAKER_00]: Thanks so much for listening to today's podcast.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh with First of Team.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you're wanting to go deeper into this area of living with childlike faith, I wanted to give you a quick spiritual exercise that's been fruitful in my life.
[SPEAKER_00]: Take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and imagine yourself as being held by God.
[SPEAKER_00]: Let yourself feel his love, grace, and pride in you as his child.
[SPEAKER_00]: sometimes putting visuals to the spiritual reality like Jesus did with his stories can be really effective.
[SPEAKER_00]: I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you see Kim.