Focus
Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.
Read
Matthew 18:1-14 (NRSV)
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!
“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.
“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
Reflect
These verses point us toward the condition of our heart when we approach God. Matthew tells us that we must humble ourselves and become like children in order to receive God’s grace. For some of us, that probably doesn’t seem very difficult, but maintaining an attitude of humility in our relationship with God requires constant discipline.
If you love children, and many of us do, becoming childlike is appealing. Some of the most moving expressions of God’s love can be witnessed through the voice of a child. Children have a way of touching our hearts that no adult can. There’s power in the witness of a child. One of the most powerful prayers I’ve ever experienced was offered by a six-year-old boy.
May we each strive to have the attitude of a child in our relationship with God.
Pray
Dear God, thank you for your Word that admonishes us to search our hearts for those things that lead us to sin. Help us have the heart of a child and the humility to respond to your commands. May our obedience lead to lives that are purposeful and effective in your service. In Jesus name. Amen
Go with God.
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