Uncomplicated Faith of a Child

       There aren’t too many memories I have of my younger years, but I do recall that I never worried about having enough food (I’d have liked more sugary cereals and less macaroni and cheese loaf), enough clothes (would have preferred jeans over brown polyester pants) and rarely got the toys I wanted.  Still, I just always assumed my parents would tend to all my needs.  Most of us in North America grew up that way.  We didn’t always get our wants, but most of the time we had our needs met.

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mt. 18:2,3

       Little children have a simple assurance in their parents to meet all their needs.  Children in this country don’t usually worry about what they will eat, drink, wear, where they will sleep, how they will get where they need to go, etc.  I think that is one of the things Jesus spoke about in Mt. 18.  As the Father’s children, we also need that kind of faith.

       It is not so difficult in good economic times, but the past few years are more challenging for us adults.  My own husband has been layed off for a while yet I have a confident belief God will continue to provide and he will get back to work.  We are not supposed to be constantly worried about how and when our needs will be met, but we can be assured God will provide (even if not to our ‘desired’ levels).

…your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Mt. 6:8 

"So don't ever worry by saying, 'What are we going to eat?' or 'What are we going to drink?' or 'What are we going to wear?' …Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be concerned about God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well. So never worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Mt. 6:31-34

       Don’t worry about tomorrow, trust in your Father to take care of you.  Even when you cannot comprehend how it will all work out, know that He knows your needs.  I can only say we have survived because of the grace and provision of God.  He has not let us down.  I may not have everything I want, but I want Him more than anything.  And I am confident He will continue to care for us.

The Lord loves you, He knows your needs.  Trust Him to provide.

Where is the Wonder?

But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled (wonder, admire), and glorified (magnified, praised) God, which had given such power (universal authority) unto men. Mt. 9:8 

       Jesus had just forgiven a man’s sins, and when that was rebuked, He healed the man.  This verse speaks of the reaction of the multitudes to the healing.  They marveled at what they had seen, and they praised and magnified God.  So, it leads me to question: when was the last time the multitudes (especially here in North America) saw anything from a believer that caused them to marvel and praise/ magnify God?

       Could it be that they don’t see the life and power of the Spirit working in our lives?  If that is so, then what do we do about it?  Prayer is only a beginning.  I remember months ago speaking to a friend about my many health issues and she said, “So what are you doing about it?”  Her words made me take further action.  We think we should just pray, but there are other ways we can take action:

-Read our Bible more.

     (The Bible) shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, Jos. 1:8

     Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1Tim. 4:13 

-Speak to other Christians often about faith, love, all we read in the Bible.

     And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Heb. 10:24

     But exhort one another daily…  Heb. 3:13 

-Get in God’s presence as often as possible. (If you think this is only at church, you need to seek assistance.)

     …in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Ps. 16:11

     Let us come (hasten) before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with

     psalms. Ps. 95:2 

-Worship alone at home, and with others.

     By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually… Heb. 13:15

     And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God…  Luke 24:53 

-Concerning prayer:

     Beg, plead, admit sin, repent, call on God, cry out,

     (humble self, offer self, be willing, listen for His voice)

     Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Ps. 55:17

     Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…  Eph. 6:18 

Genuine Repentance

       “I’m sorry,” he said for what seemed like the millionth time.  There were the tears I’d come to expect and the typical flowers in hand.  He had been caught with another woman once again.  You wouldn’t think it’d be that hard remaining faithful for a few years at least, but it seemed he couldn’t do it.  Once again he begged for my forgiveness.  Oh, I will forgive him once more, but the trust, and our intimacy has been ruined.

       His words “I’m sorry” stopped meaning anything since they were not sincere, made obvious by the fact he did not change.  “Don’t take him back” my friends cried, “He’ll just do it again.”  But this time…  maybe…  I want to believe its true, but the truth is, I’ll only know when enough time has elapsed and he remains faithful.  Maybe then the pain will recede and trust and intimacy can be rebuilt.  Maybe then I’ll see that he genuinely loves me.

*     *     *     *     *

        Though this story isn’t true at all in my marriage, it is true for all of us in our relationship with the Lord- come on, admit it.  We are all unfaithful, committing adultery with various idols in our lives (money, self) and never really turning from our sin.  Ah, but I tried and it didn’t work, you say.  As the wise Yoda once said, “Do or do not.  There is no try.”  See, we often say we’re sorry and leave it at that expecting God’s forgiveness.  But ‘sorry’ becomes empty words when it isn’t followed by change.

       In the book, “The Five Love Languages of Apology” there are steps to follow in any apology that work just as well for practical repentance of sins. 

Express regret  (I’m sorry Lord) 2Cor. 7:10; Ps. 51:17

Accept responsibility  (I was wrong to…) no ‘buts’ allowed Ps. 51:3,4

Make Restitution  (What can I do…) Ps. 51:13

Genuine repentance:  “to turn around/ change one’s mind” or choose to change own behavior.

     -express intent to change (example: I will stop looking at

          pornography)

     -develop a plan to implement change (I will not go online and will

          throw out all my porn books)

     -implement the plan (stop going online and throw out inappropriate

          books)

Request forgiveness  (Forgive me Lord) Ps. 51:9-14

       It is too easy to excuse our continuing sin on our inability to change or our human nature.  We have been made new (2Cor. 5:17) and one of the ways we show that is by leading a life of repentance or turning from sin.  Eph. 4:22 says, “That ye put off (put away/ cast off) concerning the former conversation (behaviour) the old man…”  So we must literally take action to do all we can to stay away from sin.  Imagine how hurt the Lord is over our continuing unfaithfulness.  Let each and every one of us give effort to true repentance.