From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Feb 16, 2024 at 5:31 AM

Subject: 2-16-24 THOUGHTS

2-16-24   THOUGHTS

There’s something tender about children and little ones.  The elderly apostle John demonstrates that point many times in 1John.  I saved a fortune cookie saying, years ago and taped it to my computer.  It says, “a great man never ignores the simplicity of a child.”  It causes me to think each time I read it.  All four gospels record Jesus’ saying “permit the children to come unto me, for such is the kingdom of heaven.”  I believe there is parallel thinking in  1Cor 1:18-25   “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19  For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE." 20  Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21  For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22  For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23  but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24  but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

Gen 47:12  Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to their little ones.
Matt 18:3  and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 19:13-14    Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.   14  But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Mark 10:14   But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Luke 18:16   But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Gal 4:19   My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you...  
1John 4:4   You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

My Prayer:
Father, teach us to be wise with Your wisdom, and not the wisdom of the world.  Help us to be humble and simple in love as we reach out to  the One who reached down.   How wonderful to know the greatness of the One who is within us.  May we overcome in Him.  Teach us to become as little children, O Father God.  In this way, may we teach the world around us the simple beauty of love, and the awesome attraction of our Lord Jesus as He saves us.  
In the name of our great Savior,    Amen.