Childlike
I started reading the Gospels over the weekend. For the rest of the year, I want to focus on the life of Christ as revealed in these four books.
The second chapter in the book of Matthew begins with the three wise men following the star in the east. They asked Herod the King if he knows where He who has been born the King of the Jews is. Herod knows nothing but sends the wise men on their way with instructions to let him know when they find the child (Mat.2:1-8).
The wise men found the baby Jesus but were warned by God to return home by a different route. About the same time, Joseph was warned to move his young family to Egypt for safety (Mat. 2:12-13).
When Herod realized the wise men he had been misled by the wise men he was mad.
Then Herod, when he realized that he had been misled by the wise men, was furiously enraged, and he sent and put to death all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that territory who were two years old and under, reckoning according to the date which he had investigated diligently and had learned exactly from the wise men.
Mat. 2:16 Amplified
I find it very interesting that the devil was so afraid of a toddler that he would kill the male children. Can you imagine being scared of a baby? This makes me wonder about how powerful our childlike faith in God really is.
Jesus said to come to God with a childlike attitude.
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.
Mark 10:15 Amplified
Jesus lived His whole life on earth with this mindset. He looked to God, our Father in Heaven, with complete trust and dependence and with humility.
We are most intimidating to the devil when we are like Christ - loving, forgiving, humble and devoted to God. In other words, we are at our strongest when we live with a childlike attitude towards God.
These qualities of Jesus are the exact opposite of what society says we need for "success." The world would have us rely on ourselves and "take care of number one" trusting in our own abilities to provide. I have found in my own life that all this does is set me up for heartbreak and misery as more times than not, my plans never came to fruition.
But the more I rely on God and trust in Him as a small child does a parent, the more peace, joy, love, and strength I have. Being childlike has made me stronger not weaker. It has made me wiser not foolish. It has made me humble not proud. And most of all, it has filled me (and my life) with love not hate.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I encourage you to look to God with childlike faith. Rely on Him, trust Him, and allow His love to consume your life.
Let our Father in Heaven really be first in your heart.
Heidirn
The second chapter in the book of Matthew begins with the three wise men following the star in the east. They asked Herod the King if he knows where He who has been born the King of the Jews is. Herod knows nothing but sends the wise men on their way with instructions to let him know when they find the child (Mat.2:1-8).
The wise men found the baby Jesus but were warned by God to return home by a different route. About the same time, Joseph was warned to move his young family to Egypt for safety (Mat. 2:12-13).
When Herod realized the wise men he had been misled by the wise men he was mad.
Then Herod, when he realized that he had been misled by the wise men, was furiously enraged, and he sent and put to death all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that territory who were two years old and under, reckoning according to the date which he had investigated diligently and had learned exactly from the wise men.
Mat. 2:16 Amplified
I find it very interesting that the devil was so afraid of a toddler that he would kill the male children. Can you imagine being scared of a baby? This makes me wonder about how powerful our childlike faith in God really is.
Jesus said to come to God with a childlike attitude.
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.
Mark 10:15 Amplified
Jesus lived His whole life on earth with this mindset. He looked to God, our Father in Heaven, with complete trust and dependence and with humility.
We are most intimidating to the devil when we are like Christ - loving, forgiving, humble and devoted to God. In other words, we are at our strongest when we live with a childlike attitude towards God.
These qualities of Jesus are the exact opposite of what society says we need for "success." The world would have us rely on ourselves and "take care of number one" trusting in our own abilities to provide. I have found in my own life that all this does is set me up for heartbreak and misery as more times than not, my plans never came to fruition.
But the more I rely on God and trust in Him as a small child does a parent, the more peace, joy, love, and strength I have. Being childlike has made me stronger not weaker. It has made me wiser not foolish. It has made me humble not proud. And most of all, it has filled me (and my life) with love not hate.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I encourage you to look to God with childlike faith. Rely on Him, trust Him, and allow His love to consume your life.
Let our Father in Heaven really be first in your heart.
Heidirn
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