8-29-18 The First 15

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The Weekly Overview As children of the Most High God, we have been granted access to unconditional, tangible, and perfect love. All we need we have in relationship with our Father in heaven. He longs to reveal himself to us as a loving, real Father. He longs for us to live in the fullness of restored relationship with him. He longs for us to experience his vast and limitless affections. May we grow in our understanding and experience of God as our good and loving Father this week as we look at what it is to be his child. The Scripture “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” - Mark 10:15 The Worship Experience Artist: Elevation Worship feat. Mack Brock Song: Do It Again The Devotional To have faith like a child is to blindly trust the goodness, care, leadership, and provision of a father. Jesus continually called his disciples to a lifestyle of surrender and trust in him, but never so simply as in Mark 10:13-16. Scripture says, And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 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. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. Mark 10 teaches that it’s in having childlike faith that we will receive the kingdom of God. Childlike faith is what fills us with the unshakable hope that we will one day dwell in heaven with our Father for all of eternity. 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. We succeed in having childlike faith when it comes to salvation, but often we fail in placing our trust in our heavenly Father on a daily basis. Being the child of God affords us the opportunity to live under his constant provision and leadership. As our good Father, he longs to provide for us a wonderfully abundant life full of joy, peace, purpose, laughter, friends, and unconditional love. But so often we go our own way and live our lives apart from all that’s available to us in God. Whether it be by a lack of revelation, impatience, fear, wrong teaching, or past experiences, we so often fail to have faith that God will shepherd us to his perfect plans. God is calling you to a greater lifestyle of childlike faith. He is calling you to place your trust in him alone for your finances, relationships, future, past, and present. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” What brings our Father pleasure is unadulterated, unveiled, and glorious relationship with his children. He longs for us to draw near to him with full assurance that he is good, real, and that he longs to bless us. Take time in 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. May you experience the transcendent peace and joy that only comes through living by faith. The Prayer 1. Meditate on the importance of having childlike faith. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:15 2. Where do you struggle in trusting God? What area of your life is not producing the fruit of his goodness, reality, and love for you? Where are you under the stress of living in your own strength? “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” Proverbs 29:23 3. Confess your need of God’s help, and ask him to help you live with increased faith. 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. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” 1 Peter 5:6 “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 In speaking of Abraham, Romans 4:20-21 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.” May we be children as faithful to our good and loving heavenly Father as Abraham was. May we pursue wholeheartedly the abundant life that comes from trusting in God’s reality and nearness. 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. Extended Reading: Romans 4 CRAIG DENISON is the author and founder of First15, a daily devotional guiding tens of thousands of believers into a fresh experience with God's presence every day. He writes, speaks, and he and his wife, Rachel lead worship to help believers establish a more tangible, meaningful connection with God.