God Speaks
Jesus Spoke Up About Divorce, Children, the Rich and the Kingdom, His Coming Death and Healed a Blind Man
Verse of the Day: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:14b-15 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 304
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Matthew 19:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. Things that are impossible with human beings are possible with God. Only God is innately good.
2. People can never be good enough to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Only trusting and following Jesus will give them access.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Matthew 19?
Dear God, thank You for loving people but hating what hurts them. Divorce is one of those things that ultimately hurts all those involved. Families are so important to You that You only allowed divorce under limited circumstances, recognized eunuchs, and blessed the children. You helped the rich young man to see what his priorities really were, what was keeping him from following You completely by faith. Thanks for showing me the meaning of the saying about the camel going through the eye of a needle. You meant that we must offload anything that would keep us from following You completely. Those who give up family, possessions, houses, or land for the sake of Christ’s kingdom will be rewarded greatly in eternity. Jesus, You said many who are prominent now will be lowly then and vice versa. This is something only You can do, and it is marvelous in our sight. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Matthew 19?
- I will ask God who He wants to love through me today and how, then do it.
- I will be kind to _______ (a specific person–child or adult from a broken home).
- I will reach out to build a friendship with _______ (a specific single person).
- I will examine my life to see what I need to offload for the sake of Christ’s kingdom.
Mark 10
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Mark 10:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. Jesus illustrates that Father God is interested in every aspect of our lives.
2. People of the world apart from God don’t value marriage, children, true religion, the poor or the diabled.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Mark 10?
Jesus, Your heart is tender toward me. Please keep my heart, words and actions, tender toward others, especially those closest to me (spouse and children) or those who irritate me. However, don’t let me hold on to money or possessions too tightly. May I look to You alone for rescue and salvation. May I even be willing to be reviled, beaten, spat upon, and killed for trusting You as You were for my sake. Then I will rise again as You said You would and did. Thank you, Jesus, that when I, like blind Bartimaeus, cry out to You, You will give me sight (or insight) so that I can follow You. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Matthew 10?
- I will strive to build up a marriage (my own or another I know) and work to prevent divorce.
- I will examine my attitude toward money and posssessions. Am I valuing them than beong an obedient servant in the Kingdom of God?
- I will look for ways to introduce the children in my life to Jesus.
- I will investigate and find a way to treat a disabled person in a respectful and helpful way.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.