Jesus Blesses the Children

Some people brought their children to Jesus so that He could put His hands on them and bless them, but the disciples rebuked them. Maybe they thought that Jesus was too busy. Maybe they thought that children were unimportant. Whatever the reason, they didn't think Jesus would want to take the time to bless these little children. Jesus had a different idea. He told them to let the children come to Him. For of such is the kingdom of heaven.

 
 

Several things stand out to me in these verses:

1. Jesus' care for children. Jesus realized the importance of training children properly and being sure to influence them in the right way.
   
2. Jesus had no respect of persons. The children were just as important to him as the Roman centurion.
   
3. Of such is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus realized that these children were the future of His earthly kingdom. It was these little children who would someday make up his church. Besides that, the church is made up of people with childlike spirits
   

    
    

   Lord, help me to be willing to take time for children. Help me not to look down on the young, the feeble and the weak. Help me to have a childlike trust and willingness to serve You with my whole heart.
   

    
    

Jesus Thoughts on Divorce

In Matthew 19, the Pharisees came to Jesus asking Him if divorce was lawful. This was not an honest question, but rather an occasion to tempt Him. But, Jesus turned it into an opportunity to teach His disciples and the Pharisees. He goes on to clearly state that God does not approve of divorce under any circumstances, "What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." He explained that Moses had made an allowance for divorce because of the hardness of their hearts, but it had not been so from the beginning.

 
 

But, you may ask, what about the so-called exception clause? Let's look more closely at what Jesus actually said and at the Jewish customs: in Jewish history, the engagement period before marriage was looked on almost as seriously as marriage. A divorce was actually needed to break the engagement promise. Next, Jesus said that the only cause suitable for divorce was fornication. Fornication means intercourse between two people that are not married. So, Jesus was not meaning that it was acceptable for married people to divorce. He was saying that if one of the partners who were engaged to each other was found to have cheated, then the engagement could be broken. In order to do this they would have needed to get a divorce. So, to sum it up, when a couple gets married, they are really promising to stay together until death parts them. Under no circumstances does God approve of a divorce! God isn't saying this to make our lives difficult. He is saying this for our good. As we look at marriage this way, we will work harder to work out difficulties and live together peacefully. Praise God for the wonderful miracle of marriage. May we never break its sacredness.

The Hidden Woman

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/GH11.mp3

The Unmerciful Servant

Peter began this discourse by asking Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother that trespasses against him. Jesus followed by giving this parable: There was a king who took account of his servants and found that one owed him a massive sum of money that he would never be able to repay. So, he called the servant and commanded that he, his family and everything he had should be sold to pay the debt, but the servant begged for mercy and the king forgave the debt. Then this servant went out and found another servant that owed him a tiny sum and took him by the throat and demanded to be paid. This second servant plead for mercy, but could not get it. When the kings other servants saw what had happened, they told him. The king called in that wicked servant and told him how he should have showed mercy as he was shown mercy. Because of his sin, that entire massive debt was due after all.

 
 

Jesus then goes on to teach us how we should relate to others who wronged us or owe us money. We have been forgiven a massive debt of sin that we could never have repaid. Yet, how are we treating those who have wronged us? Are we forgiving just as freely as we have been forgiven? Or, are we outwardly forgiving but inwardly harboring revenge or ill will? God sees our hearts. He knows if we have truly forgiven or not. If we are withholding forgiveness, we curse ourselves every time we pray the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." May God help us to forgive as we have been forgiven.

Father is a Watchman

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/GH10B.mp3

The Lost Sheep

Jesus had been talking about offenses. He reminded His disciples how serious it was to offend one of the "little ones" in the faith. Then, He went on to give a parable about a Shepherd who had 100 sheep. One of them was lost. So, He left the 99 and went to look for the one. When He found it, He returned with more rejoicing over the sheep that had been found than over the 99 who never strayed away. So it is with us. God has a very tender care for each one of us. He especially wants to find those who are lost. He doesn't desire that any should perish.

 
 

This made me wonder if I have the same concern for lost souls that God does. Do I care enough to talk with the lost person? Is my life a shining witness for Christ? Can others tell that I've been with Jesus? Do I go seeking for those that are lost with the intention of bringing them back? Lord, help me to have the commitment it takes to seek souls for You. Help me to keep my priorities right. Help me to remember what is most important in life. Help me to point lost sinners to You.

Become as little children

Jesus' disciples were arguing about which of them would be the greatest in His kingdom. When they asked Jesus about it, He gave them an object lesson. He called a little child to Him and told them that they must become like this little child if they want to be great in His kingdom. He reminded them that there were only places for humble people in His kingdom. Pride and competition for position would have no place in the Church. Only people with a servant heart can be great in the kingdom of God.

 
 

This has probably been a challenge for every person in the Church throughout history. Pride is part of our human nature. We tend to want to be first. We think of ourselves more highly than we should. Yet, it is important that we remember to be like a child. We need to trust God with a simple faith. We need to malice and ill will out of our lives. We must remain humble and teachable. We should be open to learn from others.

 
 

Lord, help me to be like a child in Your kingdom. Help me to rely on You for strength. Help me to remember that without You, I can do nothing. Help me to be great in Your kingdom by being a servant to You and Your people. Help me to remain humble no matter what You call me to in life.