The Faith of a Child

 

"Do not put new wine into old wine skins."

Matthew 9:17

In Jesus' day, newly made wine was put into 

new pouches of goat's leather.

There it would ferment, bubble, expand,

and the leather would expand with it.

If new wine was placed into an old pouch,

the wine would release gases

and the leather would burst at the seams 

and the wine would spill out.

Jesus got into trouble with the Pharisees

and a lot of other Jews because His teachings

were the "new wine", which they tried to fit in 

the "old wine skin" of their traditional

way of thinking. It didn't mean the old wine 

was bad. It just meant we should 

always be making new wine!

We started our business in a little shop

along Tomas Morato. We were very content there.

After some years, the owners wanted us out,

and this made us anxious and perplexed

about what to do next.

We were able to find a place along Roces Avenue,

where our building stands today.

Looking back, we know it was God, 

with His big plans and a new vision

for our business which 

wouldn't fit in the small location.

He was pushing us out 

of our "old wine skin" mind set!

 The Holy Spirit is always doing something new

and fresh in the Church. We shouldn't allow

ourselves to be too set in our ways

that we are blind to God's Spirit that

always wants to renew the face of the earth.

Let us embrace God's BIG vision,

be open to moving with Him in

this pilgrimage towards the New Jerusalem. 

I'm sure it's going to be exciting all the way!

 "You have revealed these things to the childlike."

Matthew 11:25

What are these things? 

Things that faith opens doors to.

Money or gold is worth nothing in heaven.

We can't come to the pearly gates 

with bags of diamonds and rhodium

and expect to get in.

What is legal tender in heaven?

FAITH. The faith of a child.

I always say my dad is like a child.

At 88 years old, he has not lost

his sense of wonder.

He says the age of the internet,

where you can learn so much,

is exciting and amazing.

He hasn't lost his bright-eyed optimism.

He's always thinking of a new

business venture or new equipment

to tinker with.

He's not afraid of the future.

We need to approach our Father 

in Heaven with the same optimism,

excitement and wonder.

We need to trust that all is well

because our lives are in His hands.

If we are beset by doubt, worry, pessimism,

we miss out on God's best for us!

Father, help me to have the simple faith of a child,

who knows her father loves her very much!

 "A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years 

came up behind Jesus and 

touched the tassel on his cloak. 

She said to herself, “If only I can 

touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” 

Jesus turned around and saw her, 

and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” 

And from that hour the woman was cured." 

Matthew 9: 18-22

 Even the holiest of men can't explain

why some people get healed and some don't.

I've personally wrestled 

with my thorn in the flesh

for several years now and have confessed

every Bible verse about healing.

I am sure Jesus SEES me,

just like he saw the woman who was bleeding.

What I know is this,

because I sought the Lord and keep seeking Him,

He has answered me.

C.S. Lewis wrote in his book, The Problem of Pain: 

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, 

speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain, 

it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

I believe it is God's will to heal us,

but meanwhile, if we are in pain

or discomfort, if we listen,

He will speak to us and teach us

more than we could ever learn without the trial!

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