June 23, 2013

 Be The Children And Welcome Them 

Luke 18: 15 - 17

Luke

One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother him.  Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me.  Don't stop them!  For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God."

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Thoughts.....

Albert Hammond wrote "I believe the children are our future.  Teach them well and let them lead the way.  Show them all the beauty they possess inside.  Give them a sense of pride to make it easier.  Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be."  From the song 'The Greatest Love Of All'.

That seems to be a simple paraphrase of the words Jesus spoke, a reminder of who we were as children, and a lesson on who we should be.  We find his words also documented in Matthew 19:13-15 and Mark 10:13-16.  I like how Mark's reference is phrased in the Life Application Bible New International Version.  It reads, 'People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.  He said to them, "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."  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.'  

In Luke's and Matthew's reference in the NLT we see exclamation to not stop the children from going to him, as in Mark's words per the NIV, as indicated above, we see the word 'indignant' regarding the stopping of the children going to him.  Jesus clearly wanted people, especially his disciples, to understand that no one is excluded in the kingdom and that anyone who chooses to not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.  Receive with humility, faith, and trust. 

In Matthew 18:1-6 Jesus addressed who was the greatest in the kingdom.  It reads thus:  'About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Which of us is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"

"Jesus called a small child over to him and put the child among them.  Then he said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.  But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck."  Those are pretty strong words.  I would have guessed he got his point across, but apparently not, for he had to bring it up yet again later.   

In the notes from the LAB NIV for Matthew 18:1-6 it reads, 'Jesus used a child to help his self-centered disciples get the point.  We are not to be childish (like the disciples, arguing over petty issues), but rather childlike with humble and sincere hearts.  Are you being childlike or childish?'  It further notes: 'The disciples had become so preoccupied with the organization of Jesus' earthly kingdom that they had lost sight of its divine purpose.  Instead of seeking a place of service, they sought positions of advantage.  It is easy to lose our eternal perspective and compete for promotions or status in the church.  It is difficult to identify with  "children" - weak and dependent people with no status or influence.'  I have to go on record as saying I do not agree with the phrasing of this last sentence.  In looking around the world, and the amount of money parents spend on their children, it appears to me that the parents are the dependent and weak ones who cannot say no in a child's best interest.  However, I do understand the author's point. 

Following in the notes from the LAB NIV for Matthew 19:13-15 it reads, 'The disciples must have forgotten what Jesus had said about children (18:4-6).  Jesus wanted little children to come because he loves them and because they have the kind of attitude needed to approach God.  He didn't mean that heaven is only for children, but that people need childlike attitudes of trust in God.  The receptiveness of little children was a great contrast to the stubbornness of the religious leaders who let their education and sophistication stand in the way of the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus. 

In the notes regarding Mark 10:13-16 from the LAB NIV we have 2 reference comments.  The first refers to verses 13-16, the second to verse 14 alone.  'Jesus was often criticized for spending too much time with the wrong people - children, tax collectors, and sinners (Matthew 9:11, Luke 15:1, 2; 19:7).  Some including the disciples, thought Jesus should be spending more time with important leaders and the devout, because this was the way to improve his position and avoid criticism. But Jesus didn't need to improve his position.  He was God, and he wanted to speak to those who needed him most.'

No one in any church needs to 'improve' his or her position either, if they are truly a child of God....for the record.   You may remember we've learned from 1 Peter 2:9 'For you are all chosen people.  You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession.'  We are all ONE....equal in God's eyes.  So eliminate your lofty arrogance....should you be choosing that path.  Per Ephesians 3:10-11, it was God's intention all along that we would all be one.  There will not be Catholics, Protestants, Jews.  There will be one group of people who love God, are his, and called according to his purpose. 

From the notes on Mark 10, verse 14, 'Adults are not as trusting as little children.  To feel secure, all children need is a loving look and gentle touch from someone who cares.  Complete intellectual understanding is not one of their requirements.'  Per me:  This was obviously written before 2013....I believe children of today definitely expect, and should receive, the respect of intellectual understanding.  Even the little ones.   It goes on to say, 'They believe us if they trust us.'  

Someone is reading this today who has been abused as a child and some of this is uncomfortable to you.  On behalf of those who have been a victim of childhood molestation and rape, please understand when I say that I know trust can be manipulated.  If you are finding it hard to read some of the content of these references which discuss 'laying on of hands' or being 'touched', please remember in these references it was JESUS touching the children.  It was a form of what we now call 'laying on of hands' and is a way to bestow something from God through Holy Spirit to another.  It is a Holy act, not a vicious attack, as you have experienced.  I understand how that specific act may have been 'offered' manipulatively to hurt you.  Know that my heart is with you in your pain, sorrow, and grief.  Although God is supposed to be in all people acting in his name, we all know he is not.  Please look to God to find God, not in other people, until, or unless, they prove to YOU, who they are in Christ.  Don't fault the world of Christians for the act of one (perhaps even a few) who was (were) obviously not.  Again, I am so sorry for your experience....you are not alone.  I, too, was victimized.  There are many of 'us'.  However, I thank God that he saved me, allowing me to turn it into good to help others.  Also, there is an organization called SNAP.  It helps those abused by religious in authority regardless of religion, or Christian denomination.  Use any search engine to find this worthy worldwide organization. 

It is with utmost and heartfelt concern, with God's commands, that I caution everyone to insure your thoughts are those of God's when you reach out to a child in any way.  That God's, Jesus', Holy Spirit's pure undefiled love flows through you as you reach out.  Do not abuse his children in any way, shape, or form.  Or let anyone else.  As indicated above by Jesus, the punishment for hurting one of God's children will be of epic negative proportion....and most certainly should be.  Oprah Winfrey has said, "If you don't do something about the problem, you become part of the problem."

God's children come is all shapes, sizes, ages, 2 legged, 4 legged, 2 winged, with leaves, flowers, etc.  He made everything in the world first for himself before he made humans.  In support of and for clarity of this thought, I direct you to Genesis 1 & 2 and provide reference from Romans 8:19-24 which reads, 'For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.  Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse.  All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children [those already in heaven] in glorious freedom from death and decay.  For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering.  We, too, [indicates we human Christians are not the only ones] wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us.  Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom.'

Going back to the LAB NIV notes in Mark 14 and continuing on where I left off, 'Jesus said that people should believe in him with this kind of childlike faith.  We should not have to understand all the mysteries of the universe; it should be enough to know that God loves us and provides forgiveness for our sin.  This doesn't mean that we should be childish or immature, but we should trust God with a child's simplicity and receptivity.'  Good words.

The LAB NIV concludes comments on Luke 18:15-17 with the following:  'It was customary for a mother to bring her children to a rabbi for a blessing, and that is why these mothers gathered around Jesus.  The disciples, however, thought the children were unworthy of the Master's time - less important than whatever else he was doing.  But Jesus welcomed them, because little children have the kind of faith and trust needed to enter God's kingdom.  It is important that we introduce our children to Jesus and that we ourselves approach him with childlike attitudes of acceptance, faith, and trust.' 

The bottom line....or the mountain top achievement....can be understood, and attained, through accepting, and acting on, the following:  

'After they arrived in Capernaum, Jesus and his disciples settled in the house where they would be staying.  Jesus asked them, "What were you discussing out on the road?"  But they didn't answer because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.  He sat down and called the twelve disciples over to him.  Then he said, "Anyone who wants to be the first must take the last place and be the servant of everyone else."

'Then he put a little child among them.  Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me."' Mark 9:33-37

'Elevator up', anyone?   Which floor will be pressed for you?

"We are the world....we are the children.  We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving.  There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives.  It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me."  From the song 'We Are The World' by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie 

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Let Us Pray

Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I confess to you that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed.  By what I have done and by what I have left undone.  I have not loved you with my whole heart.  I have not loved my neighbor as myself.  I know some people, Lord, who have taken this to mean something ugly, awful, horrible.  They have hurt others....me, too, in the supposed name of love, you, and/or the church.  It's hard to forgive, Lord, but you tell us we must, for our sakes.  So, Lord, I go on record today forgiving those who have hurt me in all ways.  I've done this before, but I am doing it again.  You forgive me for my sins, will you forgive them?  I wonder.  Wouldn't some of the people who have harmed others be categorized as the reprobate mind....those you don't forgive?  I believe it does fall under that category.  I hope to not see them in heaven.  Thank you for protecting me and carrying me, Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  The journey has been long....I hope it is still longer....that I still have plenty of years left on this earth to obey you....showing you my heart of gratitude for all you have done for me.  There have been times I have blamed you for what has happened in my life, first not knowing, then forgetting, that Satan lives here, too.  Please forgive me for blaming you.  I know that not all people are who they say they are.  Their titles belie their position in your Kingdom of Heaven.  Help me never become a liar, an abuser, an arrogant person, or one who acts supremacist.  There is a saying that says you can't be in authority unless you are under authority....it is out of the Christian movement of the 70's.  It refers to one not being in true authority and leadership unless one is under YOUR authority, receiving YOUR leadership.  It encompasses the essence of bowing down....to YOU.  Humbling oneself.  Believing in you with faith sincere.  Trusting you in all things.  Thanking you IN everything.  Please help me to always be under only your authority and leadership as I move forward in my personal and professional life.  I praise you for all you have revealed to me through your Word....the Scriptures and more, through your voice in my heart and mind, through your love as shown by the love I possess....and express.  I praise you, and I am thankful, also, for the family you have given me, Lord.  For all the fruits and gifts you have given me through your Holy Spirit.  The fact you have blessed me with your Holy Spirit is beyond measure.  For embracing me, for lifting me up, for granting me mercy, peace, forgiveness....the enormity of your love and grace....thank you....I praise you....I worship you....I bow down before you.  May I honor you in all ways, and when I do not, please forgive me....I promise to get to the vacuuming soon.  May todays message be fruit that grows from the roots in the soil of your marvelous love God, as Paul says.  And may everyone have the power to understand, as all your people should, God, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep your love really is.  May all children be embraced by your love, so that all will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes only from you, Father God Almighty.  And also as Paul says, 'Now glory be to God!'  By your mighty power at work within us, Father God, may we all be able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.   May you be given all glory forever and ever.  Thank you.  I love you.  Amen.      

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!   

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