Ixtheus Christian Devotionals

Mat 18:2-6 (KJV)
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.
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LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM BEING AN ADULT
by Lorraine Smith

To Whom It May Concern:

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. 
I have decided to accept only the responsibilities of a six-year-old again. 
I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four-star restaurant. 
I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle 
and make ripples with rocks. 
I want to think M&Ms are better than money, 
because you can eat them. 
I want to play kickball during recess 
and paint with watercolors in art. 
I want to lie under a big oak tree and 
un a lemonade stand with my friends on hot summers' day.

I want to return to a time when life was simple.
When all you knew were colors, addition tables and simple nursery rhymes,
but that didn't bother you,
because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care. 
When all you knew was to be happy because 
you didn't know all the things that should make you worried and upset.

I want to think that the world is fair. 
That everyone in it is honest and good. 
I want to believe that anything is possible.

Somewhere in my youth...I matured and I learned too much. 
I learned of nuclear weapons, war, prejudice, starvation and abused children. 
I learned of lies, unhappy marriages, suffering, illness, pain and death.

I learned of a world where men left their families 
to go and fight for our country, 
and returned only to end up living on the streets...
begging for their next meal. 
I learned of a world where children knew how to kill...and did!!

What happened to the time when we thought 
that everyone would live forever, 
because we didn't grasp the concept of death? 
When we thought the worst thing in the world 
was if someone took the jump rope from you,
or picked you last for kickball?

I want to be oblivious to the complexity of life 
and be overly excited by little things once again. 
I want to return to the days when reading was fun and music was clean. 
When television was used to report the news or for family entertainment 
and not to promote sex, violence and deceit.

I remember being naive 
and thinking that everyone was happy because I was. 
I would walk on the beach and only think of the sand between my toes 
and the prettiest seashell I could find. 
I would spend my afternoons climbing trees and riding my bike.
I didn't worry about time, bills ,
or where I was going to find the money to fix my car. 
I used to wonder what I was going to do or be when I grew up,
not worry about what I'll do if this doesn't work out.

I want to live simple again. 
I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, 
mountains of paperwork, depressing news,
how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, 
doctor bills, gossip, illness and loss of loved ones.

I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth,
justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind 
and making angels in the snow.

I want to be six again.

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Added note:

Sometimes as adults we do wish we could be kids again
and not have the responsibility of being an adult. 
Man has deteriorated since the fall of Adam, 
but when we accept Christ as our personal Saviour
we must remember...
I Corin. 4:8-9
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair, 
persecuted, but not forsaken; 
cast down, but not destroyed. 
God cares about you. 

John 14:1
"Let not your heart be troubled: 
ye believe in God, believe also in Me." 

The answer to our problems in life is Jesus Christ. He said,
John 10:10b
...I am come that they might have life, 
and that they might have it more abundantly.

Mat 11:28-30 (KJV) 
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest. 
{29} Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; 
for I am meek and lowly in heart: 
and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 
{30} For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Phil 4:4-9 (KJV) 
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 
{5} Let your moderation(Grk=gentleness, patience) be known unto all men. 
The Lord is at hand. 
{6} Be careful (Grk=anxious) for nothing; 
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving 
let your requests be made known unto God. 
{7} And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, 
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

{8} Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, 
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
 whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, 
whatsoever things are of good report; 
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, 
think on these things. 
{9} Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, 
and heard, and seen in me, do (them): 
and the God of peace shall be with you.

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IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN GROWTH DEVOTIONALS
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God Bless You.....brother bob.......<><
 
 
 

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