October 5: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture: Luke 18:16 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.
17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Observation: A child cannot earn the kingdom; they can only receive it. A small child does not understand the value of any gift he has just received. He does not understand the sacrifice that might have been required to give the gift. He just receives it and enjoys it.

Of course, as the child grows, he comes to appreciate the value of the gifts and what it cost the giver.

Application: As I look back, God was obviously at work early in my life. But there is a time I remember getting up from praying at an altar and knowing something was different! Something had changed on the inside. I could not tell you what it was, but I had received something that made me different. It was a difference I could recognize and remember. As I grew I came to understand what it meant to be born again and to have God come to live in my “heart.” I now better understand the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made that all who believe might receive that gift. What a gift it is!

Prayer: Lord, I like to sing: “He paid a debt He did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay; I needed someone to wash my sins away. And now I sing a brand new song: Amazing Grace! Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.” Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!