Become As A Child

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Chapters: Matthew 17-19 http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-280.html
Message Title: Become As A Child

Hello My Friend,

Many people are good at portraying the life of a Christian, perhaps they go to a church, give tithes, donate to charities, are the first to volunteer, and some may even speak of Jesus and how amazing He is. Anyone can look like a Christian, but not everyone who says they are are. Jesus stands at the door of every open heart, knocking and knocking, He will never force Himself in, but comes willingly in those who open that door. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” - Revelation 3:20-22.

He that hath an ear, let him hear, we must open our hearts to Christ if we want the Father to hear us. A father takes care of all his children, but particularly is tender of the littlest ones. Likewise, God takes care of all of His children, that is, the little ones that believe in and accept in Christ. We learn of this when a desperate father pleas with Jesus to heal his son who was possessed by a devil (evil spirit).

“And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” - Matthew 17:14-21.

O faithless and perverse generation, Jesus upbraids them for their unbelief. With the length of time He had been with them, He did so many miracles, and yet they still remained unbelieving. He basically tells them that His patience and longsuffering would not always continue, and that in a short time, He would be gone from them, and they will no longer enjoy the benefit of His ministry and miracles. Quite often God will perform miracles on the unbelieving in order to get people to believe in His Son, but His mercies only last so long, in the twinkling of the eye we could be dead and there are no chances of being saved then. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:7,8.

I imagine with all the miracles and amazing things that the disciple witness Jesus do, whether they believed Him to be God or not, even they began wondering just exactly who would be in heaven, perhaps wondering if they would even be in heaven themselves. They came up to Him and asked Him the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a child over and began to explain who exactly gets into heaven.

“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. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 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. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” - Matthew 18:3-8.

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, Jesus came to save the lost children of God, those who believe in Him. Children are known for innocence, purity, and faith, and that is why God would have us become as little children. If we do not believe in nor have the faith of little children in what Jesus did for us then we will not get to heaven nor be one of God's children. We are not be offended by those who do not believe, rather continue in our faith, trusting in Jesus to handle it for us. If anything our continued faith will open their hearts to Christ as well. God does not want to see anyone end up in hell, but He will not save anyone unless they open the door of their hearts to receive Him. “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:” - Romans 2:7-10.

There are many people in the world truly trying to live the Christian life, the one thing they are lacking is Christ. The word Christian means ”Follower of Christ” or “Little Christ”, that means you are to live a Christ filled life. God does not want us to sit in a corner and do nothing, He wants us to enjoy life, but live in a way that is pleasing to Him. A man came up to Jesus as asked Him how he could have eternal life, he followed many commands, but would not give up his possessions for God, he walked away sorrowful because he was not going to heaven. Witnessing this left the disciples with a question.

“When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” - Matthew 19:25-30.

Many that are first shall be last, regardless of how long ago or recently we accepted Christ as our Saviour, all who believe in and receive Christ will be in the kingdom of heaven, some will just stay here and be used of Christ longer. A disciple of Jesus is not sinless, but does live their lives with Him in it and understands that they will face some ridicule, criticism, and rejection because of their faith. Have no fear, every person who is not ashamed to proclaim Christ will be rewarded for every bit of their faithfulness. “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” - 2 Timothy 2:10-12.

Today's Prayer: God, I want to live a plain and simple life according to Your plan, watch over me, guide me, and keep the truth in me. Help me to learn and grow in Your Word so I can tell whether or not what people are telling me is the truth or lies. In the end, it is You who I follow to the truth, not anyone else. Open my heart to be receptive to You and only You, clear my mind of every doubt and fear and fill it with joy and peace only revealed as I yield myself to You. I love You, Lord and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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