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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Jul 1, 2022 at 6:28 AM

Subject: 7-1-22 THOUGHTS

7-1-22   THOUGHTS

The common thread below is the innocence and purity of CHILDREN, teaching adults about GOD’S DESIRE FOR THEM!  The words  “will not enter it at all.",  put heavy emphasis on this simplifying idea. It was Jesus’ answer to his disciples' question about GREATNESS in the Kingdom.  This great teaching is parallel to Jesus’ teaching as He WASHED FEET toward the end.  These are hard to hear lessons for SELFISH and ARROGANT people.  See 1Pet 5:6.

Matt 10:13-16    And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 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.  15  "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." 16  And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.
Matt 18:1-6    At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2  And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3  and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4  "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5  "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6  but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matt 19:13-15  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."  15  After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.
Luke 18:14-17    "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." 15  And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 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. 17  "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."
1Cor 14:20   Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Matt 10:16   "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
1Pet 2:2  like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

My Prayer
Keep our hearts pure and innocent in your eyes, O God.  Make us wise and mature at the right time, but children in heart at the foundation.  Help us to love each other in that way.  May we expand the Kingdom as we integrate these thoughts into our lives.  Help us Lord with our  "children thinking".  In the name of our blessed Savior,    Amen.