OCTOBER 18, 2019 LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE : TOPIC – POOR IN SPIRIT
LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Friday, October 18, 2019.
POOR IN SPIRIT
READ: Luke 18:15-17
Luke 18:15-17 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
MEMORISE: Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it (Luke 18:17)
EXPOSITION
We just marked the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, yesterday. A way to overcome poverty is to be poor in spirit. What does this mean? Children are a heritage of the Lord, and Jesus held them in high esteem in His ministry. Jesus first says, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit”, and now, He says, “The kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” Therefore, the poor in spirit are those who are like children. What features do children exhibit?
First is innocence. They act without knowing what they do. Why would a child touch fire, if he knows that it burns? This is the natural life humanity lost in the Garden of Eden – not having the practical knowledge of good and bad. We were just created not to be too wise on our own.
Humility and simplicity are other features of a child. A child is naturally humble and simple. A child enters the world naked, and with cry. No wonder, before the Fall, man was joyfully going about without clothes, apart from the “shekinah” of God. Pride and all associated with it came after the Fall. Nakedness (openness) before God is quintessential to be poor in spirit.
Moreover, a child is teachable and dependable. Have you noticed that the best place you can find love and kindness is the circle of children? In addition, the level of receptiveness, especially to the gospel is usually high with the children than among adults. Jesus concludes, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. Be poor in spirit.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Oh Lord my God, imbue in me, the mind of Christ, so that I would resemble Christ in all things.
2. Lord, let the ministry to the children be paramount in my heart, and make me committed to the development of both my biological and spiritual children.
3. Those children that are victims of abuses, Lord Jesus, intervene in their matters.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Isaiah 39:8 – 42:2; Colossians 3:8 – 4:4