As little children... (believe, scriptures, praying, sin)

[cg81]

I read these verses this morning, and they spoke to my heart.. Actually, the whole chapter is full of many thought-provoking verses, but I'll just bring these out this morning:

Matthew 18:1 ¶At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 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.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.(AV)

Am I "as a little child"? Jesus said that unless I am converted, and become as one, I will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Have I "humbled myself as a little child"? Am I completely trusting of my Heavenly Father, knowing His will is best? Following unquestioningly?

Jesus loved the little children; He placed a strong judgement on those that would "offend" them. What does this mean to us? By the way I am living, am I encouraging, or discouraging, the "little ones" around me?

What are your thoughts?

[kaykay]

I think about the "trusting" aspect of very little children. Interesting that "childlike qualities" make one "greatest" in the kingdom of heaven. Again, I think that shows how much value God puts on simple faith in Him. A child doesn't generally doubt that their parents will take care of them, love them, provide for them etc.

This passage also speaks to the seriousness of "stumbling" a little one (which I read as someone who is literally young and/or someone "young in the faith.") I think one way this happens is when we don't live the faith in front of them and they become disillusioned.

[arguy1973]

gr8 thoughts..Cg81...reminds me of my daughter once when she was around four..I dont remember exactly what we were praying about..her great grandma i think..but she bowed her head..and said "dear God, thank you, Amen" and i said..arent you gonna pray for more than that?..and she looked at me funny..and said "well daddy!..God knows what she needs better than we do..Im just thanking him for doing it!"....I was speechless..

[wesacat]

I’ve often thought about that those verses myself. I’ve always been involved with children and they have always been near and dear to my heart. I’ve been a Sunday school teacher countless times, served in the nursery hundreds of times, and worked in a mission field after school program. I’ve been an elementary school tutor and I’ve owned my own daycare. So, I’ve been around children a great deal, and I’ve been around them when mommy and daddy weren’t there…in other words, when they are at their worst. Lol

When people talk about those scriptures, I’ve always heard the positives about the children. Be as children because they are humble and innocent. I agree with that but what about the negatives??? I’ve noticed that in early childhood two of the most popular words in their limited vocabulary are “NO” and “MINE”. They can be cruel, selfish, and downright hurtful. They also tend to question everything. “Why” is another very popular word. (not that that is particularly a bad thing, but it can be exasperating…lol).

Jesus knew all this also, so I have to ask myself, “what did He mean when He said be as little children”?? I think He meant the one characteristic that is inherent in EVERY child I‘ve ever seen, even the most emotionally or mentally handicapped…they are teachable.

Sadly, that is one thing that becomes harder and harder as the years pile on. I know there have been times in my life when God has tried to teach me things and I had to fall on my face over and over and over again before I could learn it. There have been times when I’ve been just plain stubborn and close-minded and refused to learn even when I KNEW what He was trying to teach me. ~~sighs~~ ohhhh If I could only be “as a little child” every single day!!!

[arguy1973]

I think I should add also..little children trust..if I tell my children I will do something for them..they dont doubt me..I think that has a lot to do with what the Bible says about being like little children..as adults..we like to "kick it around" ..we dont just believe it..leave our problems in our Fathers lap..and go bouncing along...If one of my children is worried about something..they come to me..and if I say..its okay..Ill take care of it..they quit worrying...they go back to being full of joy...I think its a picture of how God wants us to be with him..We take out cares to him and prayer..and let him deal with them

[yhwhshalomjr]

Originally Posted by yhwhshalomjr

[/i][/b]

My thoughts are that there are
Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age; but these are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our own spirits. —Matthew Henry Concise
and
Being told before, that there will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad examples, let us stand on our guard. We must, as far as lawfully we may, part with what we cannot keep without being entangled by it in sin. The outward occasions of sin must be avoided. If we live after the flesh, we must die. If we, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live. Christ came into the world to save souls, and He will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces heavenward. And shall any of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and to save? A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly tender of the little ones. —Matthew Henry Concise



I could go on with this cg81, but this is all that I chose to comment on ; and it's from the Bible.
God Bless You

OOPS didn't realize that I had a duplicate posts.
I apologize for that

[yhwhshalomjr]

Originally Posted by wesacat

I’ve often thought about that those verses myself. I’ve always been involved with children and they have always been near and dear to my heart. I’ve been a Sunday school teacher countless times, served in the nursery hundreds of times, and worked in a mission field after school program. I’ve been an elementary school tutor and I’ve owned my own daycare. So, I’ve been around children a great deal, and I’ve been around them when mommy and daddy weren’t there…in other words, when they are at their worst. Lol

When people talk about those scriptures, I’ve always heard the positives about the children. Be as children because they are humble and innocent. I agree with that but what about the negatives??? I’ve noticed that in early childhood two of the most popular words in their limited vocabulary are “NO” and “MINE”. They can be cruel, selfish, and downright hurtful. They also tend to question everything. “Why” is another very popular word. (not that that is particularly a bad thing, but it can be exasperating…lol).

Jesus knew all this also, so I have to ask myself, “what did He mean when He said be as little children”?? I think He meant the one characteristic that is inherent in EVERY child I‘ve ever seen, even the most emotionally or mentally handicapped…they are teachable.

Sadly, that is one thing that becomes harder and harder as the years pile on. I know there have been times in my life when God has tried to teach me things and I had to fall on my face over and over and over again before I could learn it. There have been times when I’ve been just plain stubborn and close-minded and refused to learn even when I KNEW what He was trying to teach me. ~~sighs~~ ohhhh If I could only be “as a little child” every single day!!!

Join the club of "all of us".. But the refreshing side to this is that when we do fail these tests, whether it's because we've succumbed to a "flesh attack" or whatever we get to take it overLOL. But " Oh the grace of God"

[cg81]

Great thoughts, everyone! I like your examples arguy! Wesacat mentioned about being teachable... It's kind of interesting: children are teachable, want to learn and be taught, yet they know that "daddy knows best". If something comes up that's against what their parents taught them, they know this... not that they'll always follow, tho, but we also need to be teachable, but not follow anything that is different than what God has already taught us.

[june 7th]

Originally Posted by arguy1973

little children trust..

And, even prior to that, they bond.

It just hit me as I was reading through this thread that there quite possibly exists a beautifully analogous process between god and man, and that of mother and child:

There is a "theory" (if you will) that says that a baby cannot exist without it's primary caregiver. The caregiver, in bonding with the child and the child with him/her instills, "bestows" such things as basic security within the child. The baby aquires ego through the primary caregiver; the baby aquires a sense of who it really is by internalizing the caregiver...The child would be unable to grow into a fully functioning human being apart from the caregiver. It speaks to the fact that who we are is an interplay of process(es). Bonding provides that sense of unity. It's reciprocal. It's based on love. Interesting....

Take gentle care.

[arguy1973]

Originally Posted by june 7th

And, even prior to that, they bond.

It just hit me as I was reading through this thread that there quite possibly exists a beautifully analogous process between god and man, and that of mother and child:

There is a "theory" (if you will) that says that a baby cannot exist without it's primary caregiver. The caregiver, in bonding with the child and the child with him/her instills, "bestows" such things as basic security within the child. The baby aquires ego through the primary caregiver; the baby aquires a sense of who it really is by internalizing the caregiver...The child would be unable to grow into a fully functioning human being apart from the caregiver. It speaks to the fact that who we are is an interplay of process(es). Bonding provides that sense of unity. It's reciprocal. It's based on love. Interesting....

Take gentle care.

June all i can say is wow..You nailed it..