Daily Prayer

Good morning! How was your weekend? I had the privilege of a great sermon at church. Our youth minister is a man after God's heart. Youthful exuberance is infectious! We've heard it told that we are to come to the Lord as children. As we age it is much harder to accept the reality of Jesus the Christ because of being jaded by life in general. Doubtfulness, suspicion, haughty of mind, worldly wisdom, etc. contribute to non acceptance. Guess what? You ain't alone. Coming to God with the trust and innocence of a child is actually a blessing because our own thoughts and preconceived notions are very hard to overcome. Seeing the light amidst darkness can be a daunting task. Simple things become difficult. As a child ideas that are illogical by the world are plausible. Believing in a God that you can't see makes no sense to some but remember, I've never seen Antarctica but I believe it's there. Follow that line of thinking for a second. We know Antarctica is there because of huge amounts of first hand witness' accounts. We know the dark ages happened due to ,yep, first hand accounts. The Bible and lots of other literature are full of first hand accounts of Jesus, his life, his death and his resurrection. So why is it so difficult to believe? Well, we could talk for ever on that one! Look at these with the childlike faith line of thinking;

Matthew 11:25-30
Then Jesus prayed this prayer: "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike . Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
"My Father has given me authority over everything. No one really knows the Son except the Father, and no one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
NLT

Matthew 18:2-4
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
NIV

Childlike faith is like the faith we had in our parents when we were little. Childlike faith is the optimistic outlook we had when we defied gravity playing on the monkey bars. Childlike faith is like the kids that approach you with a smile an offer a lick from their lolly pop. Innocent, unjaded trusting attitudes that are necessary for us see God as he is. Our Father.
Now to the first few thoughts and with the innocent believing in miracles thinking, Jesus was either who he said he is or a liar. Can't be any other choice but those two. There are eye witness accounts of healing's, raising dead people, walking on water, appearing and disappearing, wisdom that defied conventional wisdom but came true, predictions that indeed happened so how can we dismiss a faith so anchored in truth? A subject for another day. Remember Dan Juett...


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for revealing your truths in your Word. Lord help us accept the things we see and the things we can't. Lord protect us from heresy and teach us to come to you like a child comes to their parents. Help us see you know us and want to show us your face. Lord thank you for showing us people who trust you and give examples of a great faith. Lord open the eyes of the hearts and show nonbelievers. Help us not deter by our own failings any ones acceptance of you. Lord we lift your name on high because we love you and thank you for your presence in our lives, in Jesus name, Amen