Then little children were brought to Jesus, that He might put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But He said, Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven composed.
—Matthew 19:13-14
Children seem to be able to make a game out of anything. They quickly adjust, don't have a problem letting other children be different than they are, and are always exploring something new. They are amazed by everything!
Oswald Chambers wrote in My Utmost for His Highest: “The freedom after sanctification is the freedom of a child, the things that used to keep the life pinned down are gone.” We definitely need to watch and study children and obey the command of Jesus to be more like them (Matthew 18:3). It is something we have to do on purpose as we get older. We all have to grow up and be responsible, but we don't have to stop enjoying ourselves and life.
Don't let the world steal your confidence. Remember that you have been created on purpose by the hand of God. He has a special, unique, wonderful plan for you. Go for it! Don't shrink back, conform, or live in fear.
Lord, I can't be a child again, but I can have the freedom and the wonder of a child. I come to You as a child now, and I ask You to renew a childlike faith in me. Amen.
Justice vs. Mercy
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.”
Luke 15:25–28
While we know we should be gracious and forgiving toward others, there are times when we want them to get what they deserve rather than receiving mercy. Of course we want mercy for ourselves, but sometimes we are unwilling to extend it to others. Jonah was like that. When God called him to go to Nineveh and preach, he refused, because he knew that if they repented, God would forgive them. “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil” (Jonah 4:1–2).
The reality is that a desire for others to get what they have coming reveals a hardness in our hearts more than a commitment to justice. It is easy for us to fall into the trap of the Pharisees, thinking that we are doing pretty good as we are and don’t really need God’s grace and mercy. Yet the very best that we do falls far short of God’s standard of absolute righteousness, and it is not our goodness but His grace that prevents our destruction. Rather than proudly judging others who fall short, we should rejoice when they receive God’s forgiveness.
Luke 15:25–28
While we know we should be gracious and forgiving toward others, there are times when we want them to get what they deserve rather than receiving mercy. Of course we want mercy for ourselves, but sometimes we are unwilling to extend it to others. Jonah was like that. When God called him to go to Nineveh and preach, he refused, because he knew that if they repented, God would forgive them. “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil” (Jonah 4:1–2).
The reality is that a desire for others to get what they have coming reveals a hardness in our hearts more than a commitment to justice. It is easy for us to fall into the trap of the Pharisees, thinking that we are doing pretty good as we are and don’t really need God’s grace and mercy. Yet the very best that we do falls far short of God’s standard of absolute righteousness, and it is not our goodness but His grace that prevents our destruction. Rather than proudly judging others who fall short, we should rejoice when they receive God’s forgiveness.
Today’s Growth Principle:
We need to show others the same mercy and forgiveness that God extended to us when He saved us.
Freedom of a Child
by Joyce Meyer - posted July 02, 2016Then little children were brought to Jesus, that He might put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But He said, Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven composed.
—Matthew 19:13-14
Children seem to be able to make a game out of anything. They quickly adjust, don't have a problem letting other children be different than they are, and are always exploring something new. They are amazed by everything!
Oswald Chambers wrote in My Utmost for His Highest: “The freedom after sanctification is the freedom of a child, the things that used to keep the life pinned down are gone.” We definitely need to watch and study children and obey the command of Jesus to be more like them (Matthew 18:3). It is something we have to do on purpose as we get older. We all have to grow up and be responsible, but we don't have to stop enjoying ourselves and life.
Don't let the world steal your confidence. Remember that you have been created on purpose by the hand of God. He has a special, unique, wonderful plan for you. Go for it! Don't shrink back, conform, or live in fear.
Lord, I can't be a child again, but I can have the freedom and the wonder of a child. I come to You as a child now, and I ask You to renew a childlike faith in me. Amen.
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