Welcome to Open Heavens devotional written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Today Monday 10, October 2016
Topic: Faith like a Child’s?
Memorise:
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. –
Matthew 18:3
Read: Matthew 18:1-6 (KJV)
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3
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.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6
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.
Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 46:19-48:35, Psalms 77:11-20
MESSAGE:
The
child-like faith is what everybody requires, not only to make it to
heaven but also to enjoy his or her days on the earth. If we do not
believe this because it sounds illogical, we must believe it because
Jesus said it. What is then required of us is to pray for the kind of
faith that is comparable with that of a little child. The first thing
about a little child is that he is very trusting. In my living room
several years ago, there used to be a portrait of a little child looking
so innocent with the inscription; “No Problem”. The faith that will
enable us not to see problems but see only God who specialises in
solving problems is the best for us.
Another
characteristic trait of little children is that they forgive easily.
Unlike adults who keep malice, children forgive and forget the wrong
done to them almost immediately after it’s done. The Bible says in
Ephesians 4:32:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Children
fulfil his Biblical injunction freely. Children could be very generous
with their things except in some unusual occasions. Without knowing the
spiritual implication of their actions, children are tender hearted with
their peers. This is exactly what God wants from us. In Colossians
3:12-13, the Bible also says:
“12 Put on therefore, as
the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness,
humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another,
and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even
as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
There are many
blessings we will access from the throne of God our Father if we can
begin to take after children. For example, if we freely forgive those
who wrong us like a child will do, our prayers will receive quick
answers from God. In Mark 11:25, Jesus Christ said:
“And
when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your
Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
This
instruction that comes from our Lord is simply saying that before we
pray, we must first forgive! We can see the reason many of our prayers
are not answered; we refuse to forgive. I pray that a user of this
devotional will find grace to forgive and be kind hearted in Jesus’name.
Prayer Point: Father, please help my faith and transform me to be able to forgive freely and be tender-hearted in Jesus’ name.
