A Prayer to Discover Childlike FaithBy Lynette Kittle Bible Reading"And He said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" – Matthew 18:3 Listen or Read Below: What does it mean to have childlike faith to become like little children in the kingdom of God? How do we achieve it? What steps do we need to take to walk in it? As adults, how do we move past all the voices that have been telling us throughout our lives that we need to "grow up" and "stop behaving like a child"? Believing What Our Father SaysAs a child, I believed my Dad could do anything. With my childlike knowledge, doubts, limitations, and skepticism didn't have a place in my mind or lead my thoughts astray. Like most of us, as children, if our dad told us something, we believed it, with no questioning, second guessing, or resistance. In the 2000 movie "The Kid," Bruce Willis and Spencer Breslin play the same character, with Willis as the adult him and Breslin as his childhood self. Tragically, around the age of 8 years old, his mother dies, and his father tells him, "You gotta grow up, now. Do you understand?" Sadly, his character didn't receive the help or support to grieve the loss of his mother or to understand what his dad was telling him to do or how he was supposed to know how to do that at age 8. All of a sudden, he was supposed to stop behaving like the child he was and act like an adult, rejecting the joy and wonder of childhood to face the loss and responsibility of losing his mom. Like "The Kid" character, childhood losses and hurts can keep us from knowing how to be like a child, especially when it comes to having faith in God. It can stunt our faith growth. Still, we need to take heed of what Mark 10:15 urges: "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Even If Others Laugh: Only BelieveJairus, a father who asked Jesus to heal his daughter, was faced with disbelief from his friends and family. "While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. ‘Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher anymore?' Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘Don't be afraid; just believe'" (Mark 5:35-36). Jesus didn't let their unbelief hinder Him. "He went in and said to them,‘ Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at Him' (Mark 5:39-40). It's hard to believe that people laughed at Jesus, yet it happened. But their unbelief didn't keep Him from healing her based on the father's faith. "Then Jesus took Jairus daughter by the hand and told her to get up, and she did (Mark 5:41-42).  Why Does the Kingdom of Heaven Belong to Those Like Little Children?Children are known for their ability to believe what may seem impossible to adults. They are more open to believing what Ephesians 3:20 tells us God can do. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." During Jesus' teaching, Mark 10:13 describes how "People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them." Mark 10:14 describes, "When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'" What did Jesus mean? Childlike faith doesn't put limits on God and what He can do. Sadly, adults often focus on why things are impossible, whereas children find it easier to believe in the impossible. "Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible'" (Matthew 19:26). Often, we forget all that God has for us, but 1 Corinthians 2:9 describes how no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love Him.  Let's Pray: Dear Father,Restore to us the joy and wonder of childlike faith. Free us from the hindrances of childhood hurts and losses that may be keeping us from believing You and what You tell us is possible with You. Like Jairus in the Bible, strengthen and encourage us in our faith to only believe as Jesus instructed, especially when others around us doubt, disbelieve, and even laugh at Your words. Help us to trust You in ways that lead us to become like little children in our faith in You.In Jesus' name, amen. Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/benwhitephotography Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today's Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV. Related Resource: Jesus Calling – Stories of Faith Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times-and they've shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.  Inspired by Sarah Young’s classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts. Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! The post A Prayer to Discover Childlike Faith – Your Daily Prayer – October 11 appeared first on GodUpdates.

October 11, 2024 Moving From "I Had Hoped" to "I Have Hope"SARAH FREYMUTH Lee en español "but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel." Luke 24:21a (NIV) I had hoped ... It's a familiar phrase I've gotten used to repeating in this season of my life. I had hoped my intrusive thoughts would disappear completely by now. I had hoped my energy would be fully back to normal. I had hoped my faith would not be threatened by panic attacks. Can you relate? Perhaps for you it sounds more like: I had hoped I'd get better from this long-lasting illness. I had hoped I'd be married by now.I had hoped the family conflict would resolve.  I know a few disciples of Jesus who understood this too. Days after Jesus' crucifixion, sandaled feet kicked up dust on the road to Emmaus as two disciples walked there from Jerusalem, hearts heavy with disappointment. They were mourning the man they had hoped was the promised Messiah. They talked to each other in disbelief about the latest news: Some women went to the tomb but didn't find His body. When the resurrected Jesus Himself joined them, they did not recognize Him! He listened to them recall the last few days' happenings, then unfolded the Scriptures before them, but still they could not see Him for who He was. What was confounding them so? What was holding their hearts back from understanding? Their hope was in the past tense. They "had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21a, emphasis added). But then the risen Jesus revealed Himself to them through conversation and breaking bread, and the men were amazed, revived by hope fanning their faith back into flame: "They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'" (Luke 24:32, ESV). Jesus showed He is the One who redeems, just not how everyone thought He would. Thankfully, when Jesus adjusts our eyes and hearts to see the purpose He brings and who He really is, things change. What might we be missing, even as we walk with Jesus, if we don't adjust our ears to hear or our eyes to see Him fully? What might be holding us back from understanding? Jesus came to give us an eternal perspective. We cannot see all the ways God is at work, but even this invites deeper intimacy with Him. Jesus will handle what we cannot see in the ways He knows are best for us. Let's shift our perspective to present-tense hope in our Savior. We can be certain His heart toward us is good. The fleeting hopes of this world are nothing in comparison to the sure and eternal hope we have in Jesus. Father, thank You that You are my hope. Situations can shake my heart and mind, but You are the One who makes me secure. Help me to look to the reminders You give me in Your Word so I can stand on Your promises to give me the peace and hope my heart longs for. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS Should I rebuild trust with the person who hurt me? Is it possible to still trust God when I'm afraid of what He will allow next? Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle and counselor Jim Cress deeply understand these questions and all the complexities around the topic of trust. But they also want to invite you into the scriptural and therapeutic wisdom they’ve gained. Season 7 of the Therapy & Theology podcast, Trust: The Oxygen of All Relationships, is happening now ... Listen to Episode 1 here! ENGAGE You can find more biblical encouragement from Sarah Freymuth at her website and catch up with her on Instagram or Facebook. 2024 marks 20 years of publishing Encouragement for Today Devotions! One of our devotion writers, Meredith Houston Carr, has created a special video message for you as we celebrate this milestone! Check it out here in our Encouragement for Today Facebook group! FOR DEEPER STUDY Luke 24:5-7, "... Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise" (ESV). Have you put your hope in a dream that hasn't happened yet? How can you lean into the promises of Jesus to take you into a deeper and lasting hope in Him? To take a different look at a situation that is making you worry, invite God into it, and place your hope in God to be at work for your good and His glory. We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments. © 2024 by Sarah Freymuth. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Moving From “I Had Hoped” to “I Have Hope” – Encouragement for Today – October 11, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Almost 40 years after the band called it a day, Viva Lone Justice is just around the corner

Does Metaphor ReFantazio have new game plus? We get it, uniting the kingdom of Euchronia once might not be enough to scratch your regal itch. But is there any point running back if there isn't any extra content to enjoy the second time around? Having cleared the main game for our sparkling Metaphor ReFantazio review, we can already tell you not only if new game plus has materialized in this bold new RPG, but everything involved in the Metaphor ReFantazio new game plus experience, as well as how to get into it - provided it exists, of course. *Cough.* Continue reading Does Metaphor ReFantazio have new game plus? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metaphor Refantazio review, Best RPG games, Best JRPGs

Starfield has a massive open galaxy for players to explore. With a vast amount of solar systems to explore, the sheer scale of the game can seem intimidating at first. Each solar system has multiple planets and moons, each full of content to experience.

The monumental remains of the Hellenistic-era ramparts of the ancient Greek city of Epetion have been discovered in the village of Stobreč, near Split, Croatia. The well-preserved walls where discovered during an excavation in advance of new construction. The rampart from the Greek defenses is 230 feet long and as much as ten feet high in places, making it the most monumental and best preserved Greek rampart in Croatia. Epetion was founded in the 4th century B.C. by colonists from Issa, an earlier Greek colony on the island of Vis in the Adriatic Sea. The Hellenistic city was built over an early Illyrian settlement at a prime location with fertile arable land, inland trade routes and a sheltered bay for maritime trade. The colonists built a dry stone rampart built of heavy stone blocks to defend the city. Smaller sections of it were discovered in the first archaeological investigations of Stobreč in 1969 and 1973. Conservators Silva Kukoč and Ivica Pleština, who are overseeing the site, highlighted that the area had long been recognized as having archaeological potential. Still, the extent and significance of the discoveries were unexpected. Further research is planned to ensure that the site is carefully studied and preserved. Minister Obuljen Koržinek assured that her ministry, along with the Split Conservation Department and the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, will continue to closely monitor the ongoing excavations. The recent excavation is the most comprehensive investigation of the ancient city since the 1969 dig that first uncovered the Hellenistic ramparts. In addition to the long section of defensive walls, the excavation unearthed a megalithic building with a double gate, which suggests that Hellenistic Epetion extended north of the ramparts in the direction of the sea coast, significantly further than previously known. The archaeological team also uncovered layers of settlement going back as far as the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 3,500 years ago), expanding the known timeline of settlement of the area by thousands of years.

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What politicians don’t say often matters just as much as what they do. Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated several amendments in the Bill of Rights but notably left out some others when she claimed…