CHILDLIKE – adjective: (of an adult) having good qualities associated with a child. Synonyms: innocent, guileless, unworldly, naïve, trusting, unsuspicious.

I have come to understand that one of the best ways for me to Become Childlike is to hang out with my grandchildren. Their laughter, curiosity, and simple trust are reminders of what life was meant to look like before the world complicated it. Our society has groomed us to be anything but childlike from a very young age. Many of the children around us are allowed and encouraged to watch and do things that they shouldn’t and in all truth things that most adults shouldn’t even watch and do to be pleasing to God. Far too often innocence is treated as weakness instead of something precious to protect. Do as I say and not as I do, doesn’t really work, especially if we as Christians want to be pleasing to the Lord. Parents justify watching movies with foul language or sexual content because it is about a comic book superhero or some spoof of a “classic” not thinking that the more they watch this type of “entertainment” the farther they get away from purity and a childlike set of values. What repeatedly enters the mind eventually begins to shape the heart and control our actions. We can see the truth of this as we, as adults, look in the mirror to see what we have become, a decaying haggard shell of what was pure and innocent. The world promises freedom through compromise, but it only produces emptiness and spiritual exhaustion. Sometimes I wonder what it will take to get me to have a childlike character again, if ever, especially when I observe my grandchildren in everyday activities. They forgive quickly, love sincerely, and trust completely without hidden motives or pride. Jesus spoke clearly about this in *Matthew 18:3 and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.* Think seriously about the last part of that verse, “you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Those words should awaken every believer to examine the condition of their own heart. Instead of taking the young around us into a grownup world, I believe the adults need to spend a lot more time with the children and remember what it is like to be innocent, virtuous, pure, trusting, humble, and forgiving. A child does not spend time worrying about status, appearance, or recognition, and neither should we before men and especially not before God. We also need to remember that as Christians we were bought with a price and we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I am convicted as I read what is written in *1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.* Brethren, we must be careful what we let enter into our hearts and minds because those are the very things that separate us from God. The battle for purity is often won or lost through the small daily choices we make. We must be intentional about the things we allow in our lives, by what we watch, listen to, read, and even the people we spend time with. Emotionally, physically and more importantly spiritually, poor choices can change everything about us and more importantly where we will spend our eternity. The longer we ignore conviction, the easier it becomes to accept what once grieved our spirit and brings shame to the mighty name by which we are called. Remember, we are called to be holy for God is holy. In closing, we cannot continue feeding our flesh and expect to grow spiritually strong. If we truly desire to become more like Christ, then we must remove the influences that harden our hearts and dull our conscience. We must return to a life that values purity, humility, honesty, and obedience to God above the pleasures of this world. Being childlike is not being immature; it is living with a sincere faith that trusts God completely and walks in holiness without compromise. May we each examine our lives carefully and choose daily to pursue the kind of heart that honors God and reflects the simple, pure faith of a child. Please pray for me as I pray for all who read these words that we do not wait until our hearts become so hardened by the world that we can no longer hear the voice of God calling us back to Him for even I tend to drift at times. Today is the day to humble ourselves, turn away from the things that corrupt the soul, and passionately pursue the purity, innocence, and holiness that draw us closer to the heart of God. We need to remember that no matter how far we have drifted, God is faithful to soften hardened hearts and restore sincere faith in those who seek Him. 

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.