Five on Friday: May 9, 2025

 

Here are five things from the week that I hope inspires you!

1. Bible Verse I am contemplating: 

And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. 2 Timothy 2:9-10 NLT

I'm studying 2 Timothy with my DGroup and we studied this verse a couple of weeks ago, but has stuck with me. Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel, and then he said, "the word of God cannot be chained." That is the power of God's word! Even if God's messenger is contained, the message cannot be contained. It reminds me of the passage my friend JBob always reminds me of: "so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11 ESV) The word does the work!

2. Quote that inspires me: 

“Your life today is a result of your thinking yesterday. Your life tomorrow will be determined by what you think today.”  John C. Maxwell

John Maxwell is a prolific author and America's "leadership guru." I am audio reading his book, How Successful People Think. This is one of many quotes that has caught my attention. How you think matters, because your life will go in the direction of your thoughts. 

3. Bonus quotes 

I finished reading Kevin DeYoung's Crazy Busy and it was a helpful read. In his chapter on Sabbath and rest (chapter 8, "Rhythm and Blues"), DeYoung offers this insight: 

"By all accounts, we are sleeping less than ever before. The average American gets two and a half fewer hours of sleep per night than a century ago... Though we often brag about how little sleep we get, studies show sleep deprivation is a trigger for problems like diabetes and obesity." 

Later in the chapter, DeYoung quotes theologian D.A. Carson: 

"Sometimes the godliest thing you can do in the universe is to get a good night's sleep - not pray all night, but sleep. I'm certainly not denying that there may be a place for praying all night; I'm merely insisting that in the normal course of things, spiritual discipline obligates you to get the sleep your body needs." 

These passages really spoke to me about the importance of having balance in life. I am a "doer" so sleep isn't something a value. But as I get older I have realized how important getting enough sleep/rest is to my overall health - not just physical health, but spiritual, mental and emotional health as well. I'm thankful for the above words that remind me to take care of myself and get some sleep. 

4. Text message I've earned from 

A few weeks ago I received a text from a friend and church member. This person was hurt by a sermon I had preached. They understood the point of the sermon about serving others, but felt that it turned into something else, and they explained the things that had bothered them. And even before I had finished reading the text, I knew they were absolutely right. In fact, as I was preaching the sermon, I knew I was off-base and preaching more in the flesh than in the Spirit. My words were laden with guilt and borderline abusive. 

 I apologized to my friend, and thanked them for their feedback, assuring them that this kind of feedback was invaluable to a preacher/pastor. As I have been thinking and processing our text conversation, here are three things that I have come to realize: 

a. Even after 33 years of preaching, I sometimes still operate in the flesh rather than the Spirit. This person's text was humbling because they were right, and it was a good reminder to make sure my heart is right and I am preaching in His Spirit, not my own. 

b. I realized what a true friend I have. In 33 years of preaching I have had a number of people leave the church, only to find out through the grapevine that they left because of something I said in a sermon. But they never said anything to me... they just left. I am thankful that my friend loved me enough to contact me and let me know how I had hurt them. It takes a lot of maturity and courage to do something like that. I am blessed to have a friend who loves me enough to be honest with me. 

c. Finally, I've learned that God is still sovereign and can use even my failures for His glory. After I had preached the sermon, another friend and church member told me that the message was exactly what they needed. Even in my weakness, He is strong and even though the messenger failed, God's word did not. 

I am truly thankful for my friend and their text, it has helped me immensely. 

5. Dad joke I'm digging 

Be blessed and have a great weekend!

Seek the Lord

 

Monday Morning Encouragement: 

A little word of encouragement to start the day/week. 

I'm reading in a Youversion Bible plan for my daily reading and this morning I came across this verse: 

Rehoboam did what was evil, because he did not determine in his heart to seek the Lord. Rehoboam was the son of King Solomon who became king when his father died. 2 Chronicles 12:14 CSB 

Not long after he became king Rehoboam made a foolish decision that split the kingdom and it was downhill from there. Though he reigned for 17 years, they were years of turmoil and failure. And in summary, the writer gives this reason - he did evil because he didn't determine in his heart to seek the Lord. It doesn't say he did evil because he had a rough childhood, or because he wasn't taught any better, or even that he was a bad person. He did evil because he didn't seek the Lord. 

To me, it is a great reminder to examine myself and make sure I have my priorities right. I am a "doer" and I'm prone to focus on tasks that need to get done. But I've learned (the hard way) that my first "task" every day is to seek the Lord and make sure my heart is right with Him. Life is different when I have my priorities right. 

Hope this encourages you. Love you guys. Praying you have a great week.

Five on Friday: May 2, 2025

 

Five things from the week that I pray inspires or encourages you!

1. Bible I Am Exploring

I came across clip of a pastor preaching, and in his sermon he said he was going to read from the "Y'all" version of the Bible. My initial thoughts were, this is probably an attempt at southern humor, but surprisingly the pastor read the text in all seriousness and the text communicated his point. I had to investigate and discovered the Y'All Bible Version website (yallversion.com); it's a real thing! According to the introduction, "The goal of Y’all Version (YALL) is to reclaim the Bible as an ancient text written not just for you, the individual, but for y’all, the community of faith in the one true God, whose name is YHWH." It started out as website, but has developed into a unique translation of the Bible that notes where the "you" singular and the "you" plural are used, as well as a few other features such as using "YHWH" as the name for God in the Old Testament. I purchased a paper copy and though I'm just beginning to explore it, I'm enjoying the read. 

2. Song I Am Listening To

"a lil Church (nobody’s too lost)" by Toby Mac. Mac is an award winning singer, song-writer and producer who seems to become more reflective with age. The song speaks to me through the chorus, 

"I could use a little church right now

Love to have a little family around

I've been feelin' so overwhelmed

I could use a little church right now" 

He goes on in the third verse to talk about what the Church is - not a building with pews and parking lots, but rather the Church is people who are the hands and feet of Jesus. The song is catchy and the lyrics are encouraging, and I am loving it!

3. Verse I Am Meditating on

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

This is another 'oldie-but-goodie" verse. I memorized it years ago and God still uses it to encourage me, especially when things get tough. The context is interesting; Jeremiah lives in Jerusalem during the first part of the Babylonian Exile, but this verse is part of a letter that he writes to Jews who had been removed from Jerusalem and exiled to Babylon. They were anticipating that the exile wouldn't last long they would be home soon. But Jeremiah writes to tell them that would not be the case - they were going to be there for the next 70 years. Probably not the news they wanted to here, but in the midst of it Jeremiah tells them that God wasn't finished with them yet, and His plan was to give them a future and a hope. It is a good reminder of the old adage that "Life is hard, but God is good."

4. Book I'm Reading

Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung. The book is about developing and maintaining some margins and balance in your life so that in all of the "busyness" of life, you don't lose your mind, health, family or anything else that is important to. DeYoung is a pastor, author, blogger, conference speaker, father and more. He states up front that he is not writing this book as someone who has it all figured out. Rather, he is writing this to help him figure it out. 

I'm only a couple of chapters in, but the line that has stuck with is, "When our lives are frantic and frenzied, we are more prone to anxiety, resentment, impatience, and irritability." (p.26) Busyness isn't just a "problem" it can be dangerous to your soul and your relationships. 

5. Dad Joke I'm Digging

Why don't crabs volunteer? 

                         Because they're "shellfish." (selfish)  😂😂😂

Blessings! have a great weekend!!!

Read my previous blog posts here - https://revglm.blogspot.com/

Jesus Said, "Follow Me"

 

(Almost) every Monday I text a couple of groups of men. I call it "encouragement" because I figure that is what most of them (and I) need on a Monday morning. Many of these guys pour themselves out for their families, and their jobs during the week and their church on the weekends, and I want to try to pour a little back into them. 

I am also trying to be more disciplined in writing and blogging; so to kill-two-birds-with-one-stone so to speak, here is the Monday Morning Encouragement for this week: 

Good Monday morning men. A little encouragement from the Lord's word this morning. 

Yesterday we studied John 21:15-19, where Jesus forgave Peter and restored his faith. At the end of v.19 it says, John 21:19 NLT ... Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” These were the same words Jesus used when He first called Peter to be His disciple. Those two words (follow Me) reveal Jesus' love and grace. They are an invitation to a relationship, or in this case a continuing relationship. Jesus wanted Peter to continue in a relationship with Him, and stay close to Him. 

Sometimes when I sin and fail, I think the Lord is so disappointed in me that He wouldn't want to even be around me, much less want me to identify with Him. Nothing could be further from the truth. The problem with my thinking is that I focus more on myself and my failure than I do on Jesus and His grace. He reminds me that His grace is greater than any and all sin I have committed. Though there may be consequences for my sin and failure, one thing that never happens is that Jesus gives up on me and distances Himself from me. On the contrary, He comes to me, like He did Peter, and restores me and says, "Keep following Me." 

Jesus wants us to stay close to Him even when we have failed. What an amazing Savior!

Love you guys. Praying you have a blessed week!

If you'd like to be added to a text group (guys only 😉) you can comment on this post (only I will see it) and I will reach out to you to get your number (or just text me if you already have my number).

And sometime today, out loud and on purpose, praise the Lord! (DD)

Five on Friday - April 25, 2025

 

Here is an update on things I've been reading, listening to and pondering this week: 

1. VERSE I AM REMEBERING

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31 CSB

This week I began participating with the  Healthy Eating and Activity Lab (HEAL) at the University of Tennessee, for a study on daily eating patterns for health. The 12-month study will hopefully help me make better food choices for a healthier lifestyle. The verse above reminds me that even what I eat should be done for the glory of God. 

2. APP I AM USING

"Libby" is the free library reading app that allows you to digitally check out books for two-week periods, just like you would check out a book from the local library. All you need is a local library card and a compatible device. You can check out both audio and digital books (Kindle). I've been using Libby for a while, mostly with audiobooks that I listen to while I am driving or walking. Check out the APP HERE

3. BOOK I AM LISTENING TO (on Libby)

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This book was written in 1939 by Carnegie, a Missouri born writer and teacher who became one of the leading motivational speakers in the world. Though the wordage and illustrations are dated, the book is a classic on relationships. The title is a little misleading because it sounds manipulative, but the material is a great primer on how to build solid and lasting relationships and friendships, not just in business but in all areas of life. 

4. BOOK I AM READING 

One at a Time: The Unexpected Way God Wants to Use You to Change the World by Kyle Idleman. I am doing a slow read of this book with a friend (one chapter every two weeks). Idleman is the pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, one of the largest churches in America. Using episodes from the New Testament that show how God valued individuals, Idleman shows us the Jesus way of changing the world--by loving people one at a time. 

5. QUOTE I AM PONDERING 

In One at a Time, Idleman points to the story from Acts 8 where God tells Philip to leave a great work that is happening in Samaria, and travel the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (yes, same Gaza as today). On that road he encounters one man, a wealthy Ethiopian eunuch who is reading from Isaiah. Philip gets up in the man's chariot and shares the "good news about Jesus" (v.35). Idleman writes:

 "What we have to share with people is good news about Jesus. Philip didn't share his morals or his values or his political views. He pointed to Jesus and got personal enough to invite the Ethiopian man to take the next step closer to God."

It is a great reminder of the message we have to share with the world - the GOOD NEWS about Jesus!

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment or question if you'd like to dialogue about anything!

FIVE ON FRIDAY - April 18

 

One of my goals is to be more productive with my blog. I have things I want to share, but I struggle with the discipline to write. My plan is to do better, and to post more regularly on my blog. 

I recently started receiving a weekly email from Tim Ferris, author and entrepreneur (check out his blog here). The email is called "5-Bullet Friday" where he shares short points of interest with his readers. To help get me started I am blatantly borrowing his idea and plan to make at least a weekly blog on Fridays of things from my life that I find interesting, and I hope you will too. So here goes ... 

1. BIBLE READING PROGRESS

I am using the YouVersion Bible App for my daily Bible reading and following a reading plan from The Bible Project (check out the plan here). This week's readings have been in 2 Kings 1-19. The nations of Israel and Judah are pretty much on a downward spiral and judgement from the nations of Assyria and Babylon is coming. The reading is like watching a train wreck about to happen - you know something bad is coming, but you just can't look away. 

2. BIBLE VERSE I AM MEMORIZING/MEDITATING ON

"Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 55:22 

Confession - I am guilty of "Yo-Yo" praying about my "burdens." That is, I throw them at the Lord in prayer, but there is an invisible string attached that brings them right back to me, so I don't really turn loose of control. Through this verse God is reminding me that it really doesn't work that way if I want Him to sustain me. The word "cast" in this verse literally means to "throw down" and turn loose of something. I'm learning to cut the string on the Yo-Yo, so to speak. 

3. BOOK I'M READING

"Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins we Tolerate" by Jerry Bridges. (NavPress, 2007). I'm about a third of the way into the book and Bridges has laid out a pretty compelling argument that Christians are hard on blatant sins (and sinners) like adultery, murder, false witness, etc., but tend to be soft on "respectable" sins like pride, unthankfulness, selfishness, anger, sins of the tongue, etc. It's a hard read because it hits so close to home. 

4. QUOTE I AM PONDERING

    From the above book - Bridges emphasizes the need for Christians to rely on the Holy Spirit not only to deal with sin, but to live a life that honors God: 

"Regardless of how much we grow, however, we never get beyond our constant need of the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual life may be compared to the motor of an electric appliance. The motor does the actual work, but it is constantly dependent upon the external power source of the electricity to enable it to work. Therefore we should cultivate and attitude of continual dependance on the Holy Spirit." (pgs. 48-49)

5. DAD JOKE I'M DIGGING

Shared by my friend (and Deacon) Dennis: 

A pastor interrupts his sermon to ask three men on the front row: "What would you want your friends and loved ones to say as they are looking down at you in your coffin?" 

Tom: "That I was a good husband and father." 

Bill: "That I lived a good life of kindness to others." 

Dan: "Hey look, he's moving!" 

A merry heart does good like a medicine ..."  😊

If you have any thoughts or ideas for future "Five on Friday" blogs, let me know. 

Have a blessed weekend! Hope to see you Sunday!

EASTER @ Grace Point

 

“From death came life, from sorrow came joy; this is the hope of Easter.” -Aloo Denish Obiero

Easter is the glorious foundation of our faith - we celebrate the most significant event in the history of our world, the resurrection of the Christ Jesus our Lord. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: 

17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 

1 Corinthians 15:17-22 NLT

Because of Jesus and the resurrection, we have hope and we have new life in Christ. 

Sunday morning we will celebrate the resurrected Lord beginning at 7:00 am with and Easter Sunrise service at Community Fellowship Church in Christ (515 Lakeshore Road, Talbott) I will be preaching and our worship leader, Lydia de Santos will be leading the music. Refreshments will be provided, and everyone is invited (bring your own camp chair)

At 9:00 am we will gather for worship at Grace Point. The message is titled "Why Do You Still Doubt?" and will focus on Jesus's interactions with Thomas following the resurrection. If you or someone you know has ever struggled with spiritual doubts, I encourage you to be there. 

Following the service, the kids will have their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Kids need to bring their baskets, but eggs will be provided. They will all receive Easter Treat Bags from Ms. Cecelia. Also following the service we will have a brief "finger-food fellowship" in the fellowship hall. We are asking our members to bring some light snacks for refreshments and it will give us an opportunity to fellowship while the kids are finding eggs. 

I believe we are going to have an amazing time of worship and fellowship on Easter Sunday. I hope you will plan to join us!

Do You Want to Be Well?

 

5 One man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the disabled man answered, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.” 8 “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk.” 9 Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk.

John 5:5-9 CSB

At Grace Point we've been in a series called "Questions Jesus Asked (and is still asking)." Yesterday the message was about Jesus healing the invalid at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9). Before he healed him, Jesus asked him, "Do you want to be made well?" Which seems like a redundant question but instead of answering "yes" the man started making excuses. Jesus knew that the man had grown comfortable in his situation. Jesus doesn't bless his heart, He just tells him that if he wants to be well, "Get up. Pick up your mat and walk." And he does. His healing didn't come in the way he thought it would, but it came when he OBEYED the command of Jesus. 

Sometimes when we have problems, we figure out how to fix them and ask God to do it our way. But God doesn't work that way - if we truly want to be well, i.e. have our problems "fixed", we have to do it His way. He may command us to do something unconventional, or outside of our comfort zone, but to truly be well, we have to do things His way, not ours. He never promised that it would be easy, but He does promise to be with us as we obey. 

Being made well will take a significant step of faith, because if some small tweak would have helped you overcome your problem you would have done it years ago. You can't be made well of something you won't confront, or something that you are still trying to manage or compensate for. You will only get well when you surrender fully to Jesus and do as He says. The healing may not come in the the way you thought it would, but if You follow Jesus and obey His words, you will be healed. 

Do you want to be well? 

You can listen to the full message HERE at our sermon site. 

DISCIPLE: Be One - Make Others

 

 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

2 Timothy 2:1 CSB

My DGroup has been studying 2 Timothy together and this past week we discussed chapter 2 verses 1-2. The whole chapter is about being disciples who make disciples, but verse 1 is the foundation. We can't make disciples unless we are being a disciple, and that starts with our own relationship with the Lord. 

Paul tells Timothy (and us) to be strong in the grace of the Lord. The word he uses for "strong" means to be "empowered, strengthened, and full." To be empowered and strengthened by God's grace, we have to spend time with Him, in His word and in prayer. Our first priority every day is to nourish our own relationship with God. 

Before we "do" for the Lord, we must "be with" the Lord. God is always more concerned with who you are than what you do for Him. So make sure you are spending time with Him in your day

Monthly Prayer Focus: Relationships

Our prayer focus at church this month is relationships and our weekly verse is "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35 This command is not just a suggestion, but a fundamental principle for all relationships.

Jesus' love is the ultimate example of how we should love one another. It is a selfless, sacrificial love that puts the needs of others before our own. This kind of love is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

When we love others as Jesus loves us, we create a ripple effect of love that can transform our relationships, our communities, and even the world. Love is the is the key to building strong and lasting relationships.

Love is a command from Jesus, it something we are to do, not just something we are to have. As you think about putting love into action, here are some questions for reflection: 

How can you love others as Jesus loves you?

What relationships in your life need more love?

How can you show love to those who are difficult to love?

As you think through those questions, remember that Jesus is not only our example of love, but through the Holy Spirit, He also empowers us to love as He does. 

Guard Your Heart: The Source of Life

 

Guard Your Heart: The Source of Life

Proverbs 4:23, "Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life." We've probably read this verse hundreds of times, but have we truly stopped to consider the profound wisdom packed into these few words?

Think about it. In our modern world, we're constantly bombarded with messages telling us to protect our physical health, our finances, our reputations. And while those things are important, this verse places something else above all of them: our heart.

When we say "heart," we're not just talking about the organ that pumps blood through our veins. The  "heart" refers to the core of our being. It's our inner self, our thoughts, feelings, motivations, and desires. It's the wellspring from which everything else flows.

Why is it so crucial to guard this "inner self"? Because what we allow to take root in our hearts directly impacts the life we live. If we fill our hearts with negativity, bitterness, and resentment, that's what will spill out into our relationships, our work, and our overall outlook. Conversely, if we cultivate love, joy, peace, kindness, etc. within our hearts, those qualities will naturally radiate outwards, enriching not only our own lives but the lives of those around us.

So, how do we guard our hearts? It's not a passive activity; it requires conscious effort and consistent practice. Here are a few thoughts:

• Be mindful of what you consume: Just like we're careful about the food we eat to nourish our bodies, we need to be equally discerning about what we feed our minds and hearts. What kind of media are you consuming? What kind of conversations are you engaging in? Are you spending time reading and meditating on the Bible, the word of God?

• Practice forgiveness: Holding onto grudges and unforgiveness is like poison for the heart. It festers and contaminates our inner being. The Bible says that bitterness is a root that grows in our hearts and must be dug up. Choosing to forgive, even when it's difficult, is a crucial step in guarding our hearts and freeing ourselves from the shackles of bitterness.

• Cultivate gratitude: A grateful heart is a protected heart. When we focus on the good things in our lives, no matter how small, it shifts our perspective and fills us with positivity. Make it a daily practice to "give thanks in every situation, for this is God's will for your life." (1 Thess 5:18)

• Spend time in reflection and prayer: Taking time to connect with our heart with God is essential for nurturing and protecting our hearts. Quiet moments of reflection allow us to examine our thoughts and motives, identify areas that need attention, and seek guidance and strength.

Guarding our hearts is a lifelong journey, not a destination. It's a daily choice to prioritize our inner well-being and cultivate the qualities we want to see reflected in our lives. By diligently guarding our hearts, we are not just protecting ourselves; we are nurturing the very source of life.

Disciples Who Make Disciples: Defining Discipleship

 

The last words Jesus gave to His followers were

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

These words were the continuation of the first words that He had spoken to the men He called to be His disciples: And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17  ESV Jesus spent three years of His earthly life discipling His followers to be fishers of men. Following His commission, they went into all the world and made disciples, who made disciples, who made disciples, and the process continues today. And it will continue into the future, as we who are His followers now obey His command and make disciples of all nations. 

What is a disciple? 

According to Bobby Harrington at discipleship.org, there are three primary characteristics of a disciple. 

• He/she follows Jesus
• He/she is being changed by Jesus
• He/she is committed to the mission of Jesus

Discipleship.org uses the diagram at the beginning of this post is a visual way of showing how people grow as disciples:

• Head – in the mind the decision to follow Jesus has been made (now he/she needs to connect in discipling relationships)
• Heart – in discipling relationships we are changed by the Spirit to be more and more like Jesus (now he/she needs to minister to others)
• Hand – by our actions we actively committed to the mission of Jesus (now he/she needs to share the gospel and disciple others)

Being a disciple of Jesus is a "full-body" commitment. He demands nothing less than the all of us. Are you a disciple? 

Read the full article from disciplship.org here. 

Learning From the Little Ones

 

This coming Sunday we will continue our study of Luke 18 at Grace Point Church. The passage we are looking at is a beautiful teaching moment Jesus has with His disciples. Some parents were bringing their children to be blessed by Jesus, but His disciples stopped them from coming, thinking they would be bothering the Master. But Jesus corrects them and tells them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children." (v.16). And then He makes this powerful statement, "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (v.17)

Wow, that is a pretty significant statement: Unless you receive the Kingdom of God like a child, you aren't getting in. What is it about children that would cause Jesus to make a statement like that? What is He wanting us to learn from the little ones? 

In thinking about this passage, I think there are Four Childlike Characteristics that are important to Jesus, and He wants us to know: 

1. Total Dependence - The word that is used in v.15 for "children" is "brephos" and refers to a very young child, typically an infant or newborn. It can also refer to a pre-born baby in it's mother's womb. Luke uses the term for Elizabeth's unborn baby that leaps within her womb when the expecting Mary comes to her. In the Greco-Roman world, infants were often seen as the most vulnerable members of society, dependent entirely on their parents or guardians for survival. 

The point here is that entrance into God's Kingdom means that we are totally dependent on Him for our salvation. As Paul writes in Ephesians, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." (Ephesians 2:8-9).

B. Fearless Faith - Scientist tell us that we are all born with only two fears - the fear of falling, and the fear of loud noises. All other fears are learned as we grow, and sometimes the learning comes from hard experiences. Kids seem to have a fearless faith that they can do anything their minds imagine - anything from flying by jumping off a rooftop, or running across the road before the car can hit them. Parents have to teach kids safe boundaries, but in doing so, sometimes we instill a fear of failure or adventure into their lives. 

It is interesting that when Jesus called His first disciples, He didn't call them to develop a systematic theology, or a Robert's Rules of Order for obedience. He didn't even ask them to believe in Him in the beginning. He just said, "Come, follow Me ..." By nature, faith requires risk, and following Jesus implies movement. As Henry Blackaby says in his book Experiencing God, “You cannot stay the way you are and go with God.” We are called to follow Jesus with fearless faith. 

C. Innocent Optimism - I've never met a kid who was afraid to ask for what he/she really wanted. Infants have a way of letting their parents know when they need something even before they can talk. And once they start talking, they have no fear in asking for anything and everything. It comes natural to them. As they grow, they learn they can't have everything on the toy aisle, or everything in the commercials on TV and that life is hard and sometimes (most times) things don't go the way we think they should. It is easy to become jaded and lose our optimism. 

But Jesus tells us that our hope is not in the things of this world, but in Him. Jesus once told His disciples that it is hard for a rich person to get into heaven and His disciples were amazed and said, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27) We worship and serve the God who can do anything, therefore we shouldn't be afraid to trust Him to do great things. As William Carey said, "Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God."

D. Infectious Enthusiasm - This may be what I love most about kids - when something catches their attention, they act like it is the greatest thing in the world. I love Christmas because I get to see the wonder and amazement on the faces of my kids and grandkids. My grandkids are excited about their presents and gifts, and my kids are excited that their children are excited, and that excites me. It's infectious. When I see my grandkids playing enthusiastically with their toys, I want to join them (even if I don't understand the game, lol). 

Jesus tells His followers in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and glorify your Heavenly Father." Letting our light shine means serving God with enthusiasm and joy, so that others can see God in us. Perhaps the worst witness for the Lord in world is a "Christian" who has lost his/her enthusiasm for the Lord and for His Kingdom. 

I'm sure there are more characteristics of children Jesus had in mind when He was teaching His disciples. These are just the ones that He brought to my mind. Feel free to share yours in the comments section below.