Luke 18:16, 17 - Enter The Kingdom Of God As A Little Child.
Luke 18:16-17 (NIV) But Jesus called the
children to him and said, "Let the little children
come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you
the truth, anyone who will not receive the
kingdom of God like a little child will never enter
it."
Luke 18:16-17 (TLB) Then Jesus called the
children over to him and said to the disciples, "Let
the little children come to me! Never send them
away! For the Kingdom of God belongs to men who
have hearts as trusting as these little
childrens. And anyone who doesnt have their kind of
faith will never get within the Kingdoms
gates."
COMMENTARY PEARLS
On the news recently I watched a video
clip of six-year-old Jordan Warrick being
baptized in the church baptistery in Louisville,
Kentucky. According to the pastor, Jordan had been
looking forward to this for a long time. Evidently
too long.
Before the pastor could finish his usual
words, Jordan yelled, "I'll do it!" and hit the
water headfirst, self-dunking his body. Mouths
flew open and laughter filled the church as
friends and family watched in disbelief. When his
father's video of the baptism was posted on Facebook,
it went viral.
Maybe that's the kind of attitude or
spirit Jesus was referring to when some parents
came to Him one day, asking Him to bless their
children. His disciples tried to shoo them all away,
but Jesus stopped them. Welcoming their cherub
faces, He used them to teach the disciples a
lesson: "Let the little children come to me!"
Trusting, eager hearts - like the
children gathered around Jesus - make up the Kingdom
of God. Jesus loves the bold anticipation of a
new disciple committed to Him, ready to say,
"I'm a Christian," and get on with the business
of living for Jesus. Childlike faith knows
where blessings and answers lie: in Jesus.
Later that week as I observed a smiling,
senior adult being baptized in our own church's
baptistery, I thanked Jesus that He is not concerned
with age. His salvation is for everyone willing
to come to Him like a little child. By Rebecca
Barlow Jordan.
Faith Step: Ask Jesus to give you a
childlike spirit, always eager to follow Him.
[Mornings With Jesus 2018 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
I wrote in my journal this morning, "Keep
it simple."
Life is certainly complicated and tends
to be very stressful. I spent years praying
that my circumstances would change so I could
enjoy life, but finally realized I needed to
change my approach to life. How about you? Do you
feel the effects of stress and have a desire for
simpler days? We often talk of the "good old days,"
when life was simpler, but that doesn't help us
much today.
What we need is a change in our attitude
and approach to life. Only foolish people think
they can keep doing the same thing and get a
different result. Learn how to think more simply.
Don't think about too many things at once, or
allow your schedule to get overcrowded. Saying no
when you need to will help you keep your schedule
manageable. Lots of people want lots of things from us,
but we don't have to ruin our life and forfeit
our joy to keep them happy. Take some time today
to inventory your life. Ask yourself if you are
enjoying it. If not, I urge you to make whatever
adjustments are necessary in order to do so.
Father, I love You very much, and I am
grateful for the life You have given me. I want to
enjoy life and use my time wisely, and I ask for
Your help in making any changes that are
necessary for me to live simply and powerfully. [My
Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100416-1105.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies:
http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by Pastor John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657