Faith Released – Blessings Received

“Truly, I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”?Matthew 18:3

Yesterday, a young boy in the produce aisle politely asked his Mom for graham crackers. His Mom agreed to pick them up because he’d made a good snack choice.?

She told him they had twenty aisles to go through before they would find them, so he would need to be patient. The boy was delighted and energized at his Mom’s approval and began to count the isles as they shopped.

He continually thanked his Mom for the crackers and stated a long list of people he would share them with. After hearing his thankful anticipation for six aisles, his Mom made a beeline for the twentieth aisle. I saw them ten minutes later.

The boy was quiet and grinning ear to ear, holding his treasure box of graham crackers. I don’t know if his Mom was worn down from the constant confession of the boy’s faith or if she was overjoyed at the thankful anticipation of his faith, but the reality was she chose to bless her son sooner than he expected.?

The boy believed he would receive the crackers because his mother said so. He spoke with a believing, grateful heart in happy anticipation?AS?he moved forward, and he was blessed.

This young boy illustrated what we must do to release our faith to receive the answers or blessings God promised us in His word. Our loving Father walks alongside us everywhere, just waiting for the right heart and faith to be present to bless us.

Sadly, more often, I see children and adults throwing fits, whining, and complaining in hopes of wearing down or manipulating the person in authority. The result is usually no, not now, not ever, or a spanking.?

In the Old Testament, the Israelites wandered around in the desert for forty years because they lacked gratitude, belief/faith, and disobedience. They were determined to live life their way, and only a chosen few ever received the blessing of the Promised Land.??

Our personal relationship with Christ is a process. He asks us to trust him and not the people, circumstances, situations, or feelings in our lives.?

I want to challenge you to confess from the depths of a sincere heart the following prayer every morning and evening for thirty days and share with me what happens.

God, thank you for your love and sacrifice that has blessed me with the mercy, grace, and love I need for this day.?

Thank you for your protection, wisdom, guidance, and?strength. I believe you are working in my life no matter how I feel or if I can’t see it.?

I surrender my will to you and ask you to guard your son/daughter and help me release my faith through my words and actions to shine your light of hope and joy.?

Help me shine bright for your glory! Amen.