Daily Devotional

RETURNING TO A CHILDLIKE MIND

December 19

hildren of God, have you ever held a newborn baby in your arms? It is so tiny and innocent. When it begins to grow a bit, it will respond to you in simplicity and “copycat” fashion. If you smile and speak lovingly, it will smile or giggle in return. Its little brain is a “clean slate.” It has no opinions, no thoughts, but it is formed in your image and follows your lead. Why do you think that the Master says, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:3) The child responds without question to its parent. When you are an adult and from that place you receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you have much that you need to “forget.” If you have been self-sufficient, or consider that you have made it through life as a self-made person, you will run into “brick” walls all over the place in the service of your Heavenly Father. Remember this important thought, “from the moment that you are born again your Father begins to shape you with His loving hands into the image of himself. He teaches you that it is not a sign of weakness to be led by the Holy Spirit. The quicker you surrender your will and the strong hold over your own life and destiny to the Son of God, the sooner you will find yourself conforming to His image for you.” Why not listen to Him and pray, “Father, make me become as a little child in your holy presence.” If you will submit your past, present and future into His powerful leading and input for your life, you will begin to learn the meaning of “resting” in the Lord. The person who goes from one conflict to the next, always living with serious insecurities is the same person who knows nothing of resting in the Lord. It is a difficult and unnecessary lifestyle for you to lead. Resist taking things into your own hands. It is a matter of life and death for you to become as a little child in the presence of your Father. You will wear yourself out before your time and spend your life and time on trivial matters if you do not learn this lesson now. For your Father to be free to give you the great challenges of powerful fruit bearing for the Kingdom, be still and rest in His presence. Be at peace. Listen to heaven’s instructions for your life. Blessings are yours for the asking!

Prayer

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Father, I tend to press my own causes and push my own agenda. Help me Lord. I will wreck my spiritual life if I don’t learn to let you lead me. I know you will strengthen me in you in my faith in you to do the work of the Kingdom. In Jesus’ great name I pray, amen!