40.DAY 2014 AUGUST 01: COME LITTLE CHILDREN MARK 10:13-16 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. The touch of Jesus changes everything. In the world of the Bible, the laying on of hands by a holy person confers blessing, drives a stake into the future, and establishes destiny. Those who bring their children to Jesus understand this. They want a better future for their sons and daughters. But in that day and age, children were generally considered unimportant and insignificant. There were practical uses for them, of course. They removed the stigma of barrenness. They carried on the family name. And perhaps served as breadwinners too. But children were not highly valued or esteemed as persons in themselves. They were highly at risk and often abused, exploited, marginalized, or enslaved. The disciples reflect society’s negative attitude toward children. They act like control freaks and gatekeepers. They turn the children away. They seem to think Jesus is too important for them, too busy with kingdom affairs to be bothered with kids. Jesus is indignant. He rebukes them: ‘Let the children come to me.’ Stop stopping them! A negative response to children is a rejection of Jesus and his kingdom. If you do not love and welcome children into your world and make room for them as Jesus does, you have no place in his kingdom. But if you receive them and bless them, as Jesus does, you will inherit the kingdom along with them. ‘Minister to the small, and you will stand with the great.’ (Lester Bradner) The kingdom of God belongs to children. You enter the kingdom as a little child or not at all. What does it mean to receive the kingdom as a little child? It means to become little again. To empty yourself like Jesus. To become lowly and insignificant, a nobody in the eyes of the world. It means giving Jesus full control and letting him determine the direction of your life with no agenda of your own. No footnotes. No strings attached. PREPARE THE WAY (1) It’s world news. Wealthy Singapore faces a huge deficit. We love to make money, but we don’t like to make babies. Our government tries very hard in many different ways, spending as much as $1.3 billion a year to encourage us to have more children. Nothing works. Childbirths remain low, below replacement rate! Face it. The Church has contributed to this national crisis. Rising singlehood. Late marriages. Childless couples. We have tolerated the unbiblical mindset of young couples. We want marriage for companionship and pleasure. But not for procreation. In rejecting children, we reject Jesus and his kingdom. Think about it. What’s the point of praying your kingdom come, your will be done when we rule out child-bearing? Time to repent. Let the Word of God penetrate our hearts: ‘In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said: Be fruitful and multiply.’ (Genesis 1:27-28 NLT) ‘Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union.’ (Malachi 2:15 NLT) ‘Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.’ (Psalm 127:3-5 NLT) (2) PRAY: Our Father in heaven, we repent. We’ve dishonoured you. We’ve closed our minds and shut our wombs to your gift of children. We’ve disobeyed your command to be fruitful and multiply. We’ve been selfish and childish. We’ve lived our lives according to what we want and what we think is important. Bosses to please. Deadlines to meet. Deals to clinch. Prospects to pursue. Careers to chase. Causes to serve. The list goes on. We’re ashamed. Beneath our philosophical excuses is our lack of love for you. We’ve dishonoured your Creation Mandate. Forgive us. In our Jubilee, set us free from self-deception. Help us obey your command. Bless the fruit of our wombs. (3) Jubilee is a time of consecration. Let’s dedicate our children to the Lord. PRAY: Lord, we present to you Singapore’s most precious asset, our sons and daughters, the fruit of our wombs. Bless them to be the best they can be in every season of their lives: Filial children. Faithful spouses. Godly parents. Defenders of Family. Builders of Nation. Set them apart as a Righteous Majority, discerning and wise, drawing the line between right and wrong, good and bad, truth and error. Set them apart as the Rooted Core with a deep sense of belonging and love for this Little Red Dot, a Home worth fighting for. To God be the glory! ___________________________ 40.DAY MORNING PRAYER (Wave 7) • 6.30am to 8.30am • Kum Yan Methodist Church / Bras Basah MRT Station / Exit A 40.DAY CITY@PRAYER • 1.00pm to 2.00pm • St Andrews Cathedral, South Transept Hall
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:47:55 +0000
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