Humbleness = Greatness

We are not to be childish but childlike!

In Matthew 18:1-6 and in Mark 9:33-34, the disciples were acting childish, in that they were seeking a high position in the Kingdom of Heaven. So the Lord Jesus declared in V2 "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins (be converted) and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus, having called a little child unto him, set him in the middle, and continued: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." 

Obviously the standards and values in the Kingdom of Heaven are exactly opposite to those in the world. Our whole mode of thinking must be reversed. Read Philippians 2:5-8

In Matthew 19:13-15, the disciples must have forgotten what the Lord Jesus had said about children. The Lord wanted little children to come to him because He loves them and they have a pure simple trust in God. He didn't mean that heaven is only for children but that all people need childlike faith in God.

The receptiveness of little children was a great contrast to the stubbornness of the religious leaders, who let their education and sophistication stand in the way of the simple faith needed to believe in the Lord Jesus.

Don't let anything or anyone get in the way of you coming to the Saviour of sinners!

Precious Pearl:
-"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart..." Psalm 24:3-4
-"For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." Luke 14:11
-"the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin" 1 Epistle of John 1:7
-It only takes a simple childlike trust in the Saviour's cleansing blood, for all the work has been done!

Tis finished the work that saves!
Claudine

Are You Standing on The Solid Rock?

In Matthew 16:15 The Lord asked his disciples: 'Who do you say that I am?'  All praise to God, Peter had the right answer: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." The Lord then reveals to Peter that this blessing of knowing Him was given him from the Father in heaven, and did not come from Peter himself!

The Lord now instructs Peter that upon this ROCK (this truth just revealed to Peter, about the Christ) He will build His church.  Peter never spoke of himself as the foundation of the church, but the Lord did say he was giving him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven (on earth).  Peter then first used the keys on the Day of Pentecost. I believe they were not given to him exclusively, but as a representative of all the disciples (see Matthew 18:18 where the same promise is given to them all).

"Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be open in heaven." When a sinner truly repented of his sins and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, his/her sins could be declared forgiven on the authority of God's Word!  But when a sinner rejected the Saviour (the message - the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven), he/she could be declared to have his sins retained. 

I believe it was then the time for the Lord to tell his disciples about His purpose for coming to earth! The Son always moved in accord with the Father and waited for His timing! Now that the disciples had realized that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, they were ready to hear the Lord's first direct prediction of His death and resurrection. 
(notes from Believer's Bible Commentary)

Then, not understanding the complete will of God, we read of Peter's opposition to the Lord's new revelation. The Lord says to Peter that his idea is not from God but from Satan, anything that opposes God and His plan is from Satan. Get to know God and His will for you and for this world and for the worlds to come by reading your Bible.  Can you say with your understanding: "May your kingdom come, may your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven"? (Matthew 6:10)

Precious Pearl: "Anyone who listens to my teaching (Jesus said) and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on a solid rock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand." Matthew 7:24, 26

Can I ask you kindly:  'Where do you stand dear reader?'

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand!

Claudine

Surrendering!

Matthew 15:32 starts with the Lord Jesus being compassionate for his listeners, which consisted of a multitude of  4,000+, because they hadn't eaten for three days.  He then asks his disciples: 'How many loaves have you got?'  The disciple's reply was basically:  'Just a few' (seven loaves of bread and a few little fishes)!  To which they did not hold back for themselves, but willingly gave to the Lord! With this little amount of food, the Lord multiplied it so much that he fed the whole multitude, and they did all eat, and were filled (V37). That was a miracle!

The disciples did not show any sign of selfishness!  They surrendered ALL to the Lord, and trusted Him with the outcome! Is this where you are?  Do you hear/feel the Lord asking 'What have you got'? Are you thinking to yourself: 'I only have a little bit, why is He asking me what I've got'?  Until we surrender everything to Him, He will be waiting and will not perform His mighty work, He cannot work His miracle! Will you let go and let God?  Trust Him for and in EVERYTHING!

Unto Jesus, I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all,

Unto Thee my blessed Saviour

I surrender All!

All to Jesus I surrender

Lord I give myself to Thee

Fill me with Thy love and power

Let Thy blessing fall on me...

Precious Pearl:

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days" Ecclesiastes 11:1

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus!
By His matchless grace,

Claudine

God or Religion?

In Matthew chapter 15, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked Jesus "Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition?"  Jesus in return asked them a question: "And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?

'Many traditions are not bad in themselves.  Certain religious traditions can add richness and meaning to life.  But we must not assume that because our traditions have been practiced for years, they should be elevated to a sacred standing.  God's principles never change, and his law doesn't need additions.  Traditions should help us understand God's laws better, not become laws themselves.' (Bible notes)

The old prophet Isaiah well prophecied about these kind of people:  "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. Their worship is a farce, for they replace God's commands with their own man-made teachings." Isaiah 29:13

It is good, even recommended to regularly read the Bible, so we may know God's will for us.  We should not rely on man (alone) to tell us the oracles of God! Being ignorant of the scriptures puts us in a dangerous situation of being told false things... not safe! Otherwise, all you may have is a religion!

Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with God.  He speaks to us through His Word, and we speak to Him in prayer!

Precious Pearls:
1 John 1:7 "If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Chirst his (God's) Son cleanses us from all sin."

'The Pharisees knew a lot about God, but they didn't know God.  It is not enough to study about religion or even study the Bible.  We must respond to God himself.' (Bible notes)

'The Saviour is waiting to enter your heart,
Why don't you let Him come in?
Time after time He has waited before
And now, He is waiting again
To see if you're willing to open the door;
O how He wants to come in!'

Claudine