The Overwhelming Importance of Being Born Again and Being Faithful and Humble to Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!

11 Jul 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Scrip-Bit   11 July 2026   Matthew 18:4.

Matthew 18:4.        Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And it’s our lazy-day Saturday! Oh what joy! Doing whatever we want, even up to doing nothing on this hot, sunny July day without a guilty conscience! It could not get any better than that! And I must admit that I enjoyed a bit of the lazy-day Saturday morning. I got up fairly early, did a few things, then went back and lolled around in the bed, and it felt so good, I had to force myself to get up and come down to write the Bit. (smile) But before we carry this lazy-day Saturday thing too far, let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer in all sincerity and truth.

As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And as always, if the Lord heard our heartfelt plea, and on checking our hearts, found it to be true and sincere, then in a short time our soul and spirit will be enjoying a big slice of peace and calm, as the Lord answers our prayer, for He simply delights in answering our heartfelt pleas that fall under His will, and increasing intimacy with, and knowledge of Him, is certainly a big part of His will. And what more do we need to enjoy a lazy-day Saturday than a big slice of God’s peace and calm. There’s nothing better for that job. (smile)

And, as per today’s discussion, the Good Library opened at Matthew’s gospel where Jesus is teaching the disciples about the least being the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The Bible recalls it thus: ‘At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 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 the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt. 18:1-4)

Now, that must have been a startling realization to the disciples, for they must have figured that one who did the most wonderful works here on earth would be the greatest in heaven. However, as the scholars explain: ‘The dispute over who is the greatest was settled by Jesus’ emphasis that it was the one who was willing to forgive the most! Be converted means a “turning” of one’s whole life and person toward God. This is the true biblical picture of conversion. It is far more than mental acknowledgement of the truth or intellectual assent to certain ideas. To become as little children means to be born again (converted) as a newborn spiritual child, characterized by faith and humility.’

But that’s somewhat of a tough nut to crack, because to enter the kingdom of heaven we have to change our behaviour towards God and become humble and faithful like little children. However, that should not surprise us for it’s exactly what Jesus told the disciples when James and John’s mother came asking if they could sit on His right and left hand in heaven and it caused an uproar amongst the others.

‘Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion (lord it) over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosever will be great among you, let him be your minister (servant). And whosoever will be chief (first) among you, let him be your servant (slave). Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (served), but to minister (serve) and to give his life a ransom for many.’ (Matt. 20:25-28) That let’s us know that servanthood in Jesus’ kingdom is of the utmost importance.

Then in Jesus ‘exchange with Nicodemus, the Jewish leader, He explains the process of attaining heaven. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again (from above), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’ (John 3:3) And when Nicodemus didn’t understand Him, Jesus clarified it thus: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth (wishes), and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is everyone born of the Spirit.’ (John 3:5-8)

Yes friends, it is imperative that after we’re born of the flesh, we’re also born of the Spirit, if we desire to enter into God’s kingdom. So it’s necessary to be born twice to even get the chance to see God’s face, and then to achieve any greatness in heaven, we must also be faithful and humble like little children. And in Bruh Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he addresses that conundrum when he explains about the resurrection of the body. He writes: ‘It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam (Jesus) was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit.

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy (man of dust): the second man is the Lord from heaven. … And as we have borne the image of the earthy (man of dust), we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.’  (1 Cor. 15:44-47; 49-50)

Yes my people, we’re all born a natural birth from our mother’s womb, or men of dust, but to attain heaven, we must also be born of the life-giving Spirit of Christ, for when our fleshly bodies die, all that remains is the spirit, and if our spirit isn’t aligned with God, or we’re not born again of the Spirit, then we’re in for a rough time undergoing eternal separation from God, the worst thing that can ever happen to a human soul. Therefore, it behooves us, right now, to get right with God, be born again of the Spirit, so that when our body returns to dust, as it will, then our spirit will soar to heaven and eternal life, rather than to hell and eternal death.

And hopefully, as we laze about today, we’ll ponder on those things, and make the right decision. Much LOVE!

…greatness in Christ’s kingdom…does not depend on might and power…but on faithfulness and humility…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 October 2015 Matthew 19:14

22 Oct 2015 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 Matthew 19:14.    But Jesus said, Suffer (allow the) little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Well hello there Friends and neighbours! It’s another glorious day in God’s great universe and we have so much to be thankful for this autumn Thursday morn! Glory to God! 
 
Now we don’t have a Battle hymn, a Mantra or a Wail to declare this morning, (smile) but we do have a li’l something from Gramps Schuller from his Hour of Power Devotional to welcome the day and give God some thanks and praise and well-deserved recognition and acknowledgement. 
 
Please pray with me: ‘Thank you, Lord, for bringing me to the place where LOVE can knock at the door of my heart. O Father, do not let me be afraid. I shall not resist your affectionate touch. Let me, O Lord, have the spirit of a little child and dare to respond and run with open arms to your call of LOVE. Amen.’ 
 
Yes Friends, a simple but surprisingly wide-ranging prayer. It touches on God’s knocking at the doors of our hearts, willing us to open them and let Him in. ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup (dine) with him, and he with me.’ (Rev.3:20) 
 
Oh Friends, how many times many of us have heard that knock and refused to let Jesus in eh? That’s not heavenly wisdom at all. So the next time He knocks, please let Him in. It’s a decision you will never regret. 
The prayer also includes the power to not be afraid, because our God is in full control of everything and everyone in His universe. 
 
On that subject, Jesus declared to the disciples: ‘And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell: yea, I say unto you, Fear him.’ (Luke 12:4-5)  
 
And the scholars tell us that:’12:4. The body’s death is not the end of a person’s life.’ ‘12:5. God is the one with this power. (James 4:12).’ 
 
And for our enlightenment, I’ll quote James here, because I know that very few of us will go and check it for ourselves. (smile) And James says: ‘There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?’ (James (4:12) 
 
Then the prayer talks about not resisting God’s affectionate touch, which so many of us unwisely do, for one reason or another. Ah mih people, when God touches us, it’s always for a very good reason. I remember quite well when He called me some eight years ago to write the Bit, my first plea was that I couldn’t because I was not knowledgeable enough. 
 
But when God really wants us, it’s foolish to try to resist, because He will not stop, and we will only be making life harder for ourselves. It’s always best if we answer on His first call, and ask, ‘How high do you want me to jump Lord?’ Remember, He will NEVER give us more than we can bear or ever leave us in the lurch! 
 
Yuh see how Peter and Andrew responded to Jesus’ call? ‘And he saith unto to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men, And they straightway left their nets and followed him.’ (Matt.4:19-20). 
 
The same goes for James and John. When Jesus called them, the Good Book says: ‘And they immediately left the ship and their father (Zebedee), and followed him.’ (Matt.4:22) 
 
Can you imagine poor Zebedee’s consternation when his two sons, his only help, just got up and walked off after this itinerant preacher. Hn! But that’s the kind of faith and trust we’re called to have in Jesus my people. 
 
Then the prayer talks about the ‘spirit of a little child and run with open arms to your call of LOVE.’ Remember too how the young children ran to Jesus’ opened arms and how He rebuked the disciples for trying to stop them? 
 
And that scripture is our Bit for today. ‘But Jesus said, Suffer (allow the) little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ 
 
Oh my brethren that is such an important scripture, one of the most important Jesus ever spoke. And His monologue earlier on, when He explains greatness to the disciples, explains it all. 
 
‘At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 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. 
 
Whomsoever 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 (cause to sin) 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 was drowned in the depth of the sea. 
 
Woe unto the world because of offences (enticements to sin)! for it must needs be that offenses (enticements) come; but woe to that man by whom the offence (enticement) cometh.’ (Matt.18:1-7) 
Yes Friends those are Jesus’ words. And I just read some of the scholars’ explanations and though they will make the Bit longer than I desired, I believe the info there is very worthwhile. 
 
So here goes. ‘18-1-4. The dispute over who is the greatest was settled by Jesus’ emphasis that it was the one who was willing to forgive the most! Be converted means a “turning” (Gr. strepho) of one’s whole life and person toward God. 
 
This is the true biblical picture of conversion. It is far more than a mental acknowledgement of the truth or intellectual assent to certain ideas. To become as little children means to be born again (converted) as a newborn spiritual child, characterized by faith and humility.’ 
 
‘18:5-7. The little child represents a new convert or young believer. To receive such a fellow believer is to welcome Christ Himself. Therefore, the basis of true Christian fellowship is established in Christ Himself. 
 
Offenses are viewed as a reality that must be accepted in the present world, but woe (the prophetic condemnation to death) to the one who is the source of the offence. A millstone is literally an “ass-stone,” or a large grindstone turned by an ass.’ 
 
Yes Friends, that’s it for today. I know it’s long but them’s the breaks! (smile) If you can’t give up a few extra minutes for Jesus, then what’s the point eh? Happy fellowshipping today! Much LOVE!
 
…fear not…little flock…for it is your Father’s good pleasure…to give you the kingdom… (Luke 12:32)