I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Think Like a Child
Think about the greatest person you’ve ever met. What is it about the person that makes them stand out to you? Maybe it’s their accomplishments, their character, their power or wealth, or the way they handle hard situations.
Now compare that impressive person to a child in your life. According to Jesus, anyone who is truly great in His kingdom will be like that little child. In fact, to even enter into His kingdom, we need to be childlike. Here’s why:
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Children rely on others to meet their needs. Little children instinctively know that they are vulnerable and helpless. They aren’t afraid to ask for help when they need it because they know that help from the right person is their source of strength.
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Children don’t care about acquiring power. They don’t view others as threats to their authority because they don’t have any authority to threaten. Everything a child has is given to them.
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Children know who they belong to. Children know who to run to when they’re hurt, afraid, overwhelmed, happy, confused, or joyful. When they know they are loved, they approach their parent figures with authenticity and confidence. They know they can come just as they are, and receive what they need.
As we grow older, we tend to lose our childlike innocence … but we don’t have to. By surrendering our desires for power, fame, and authority, we position ourselves to receive Jesus’ power and authority. By recognizing that we need Jesus, we are able to let go of the pride that might keep us from His presence. And when we know that we belong to Jesus, we can approach God with childlike confidence.
We don’t have to bring anything impressive to God—we simply need to come to Him.
So today, what would it look like for you to approach God with the humility and confidence of a small child? Perhaps this means honestly telling Him what you need. Maybe it looks like asking Him a deeply vulnerable question. Or perhaps it starts with trusting that He loves you and isn’t mad at you. Whatever step you need to take, know that God is waiting for you to come to Him just as you are.
Justified by Faith
Paul, the writer of the letter to the church in Rome, covers the details of what is known as “the Gospel message”—a message that was handed down to them. It's packed with deep theological truths that are meant to shape the way Christians live.
One of the central components to the Gospel is that salvation comes through faith alone. That means we are saved by the power of God through believing and trusting in Jesus. Every Christian comes to God through faith—not through good deeds or by trying to earn salvation.
Paul says that we have peace with God by our faith in Jesus. Prior to that, we were considered ungodly and unrighteous—because we would live our lives in our own power, doing our own things. This led to separation from God.
However, by faith in Jesus, we are justified before Him. This means that through Jesus’ own right-living, we are made right before Him. Even though we still make mistakes, we can stand innocent before God because of Jesus.
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