Key Thought

Today's Prayer

O LORD God Almighty, I confess that there are times when I want you to more forcefully reveal yourself to friends of mine who will not surrender to your grace. I know that you will not overpower their wills. I know that you want our hearts and not a forced, coerced, or manipulated and shallow response to your offer of salvation in Jesus. So please use me and my influence to be a helpful, tender, and clear example to my friends who have not decided to follow your Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

People brought their small children to Jesus, so that Jesus could touch them. But the followers told the people to stop bringing their children to Jesus. Jesus saw what happened. He did not like his followers telling the children not to come. Jesus said to them, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people that are like these little children. I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God like a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it." Then Jesus held the children in his arms. Jesus put his hands on them and blessed them. Jesus started to leave, but a man ran to him and bowed on his knees before Jesus. The man asked, "Good teacher, what must I do to get the life that never ends?" Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? No person is good. Only God is good. {But I will answer your question.} You know the commands: 'You must not murder anyone, you must not do the sin of adultery, you must not steal, you must not lie, you must not cheat, you must honor (respect) your father and mother

Related Scripture Readings

So brothers and sisters, I beg you to do something. God has shown us great mercy. So offer your lives as a living sacrifice to God. Your offering must be only for God and will be pleasing to him. This offering of yourselves is the spiritual way for you to worship (serve) God. Don't change yourselves to be like the people of this world. But let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what things are good and pleasing to God and what things are perfect.

While Paul was saying these things to defend himself, Festus shouted, "Paul, you are crazy! Too much study has made you crazy!" Paul said, "Most Excellent Festus, I am not crazy. The things I say are true. My words are not the words of a foolish man; I am in my right mind. King Agrippa knows about these things. I can speak freely to him. I know that he has heard about all of these things. Why? Because these things happened where all people could see. King Agrippa, do you believe the things the prophets wrote? I know you believe!" King Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so easily?" Paul said, "It is not important if it is easy or if it is hard; I pray to God that not only you but every person listening to me today could {be saved and} be like me—except for these chains I have!"

John was like a lamp that burned and gave light. And you were happy to enjoy his light for a while. "But I have a proof about myself that is greater than John. The things I do are my proof. These are the things my Father gave me to do. These things show that the Father sent me. And the Father that sent me has given proof about me himself. But you have never heard his voice. You have never seen what he looks like. The Father's teaching does not live in you. Why? Because you don't believe in the One the Father sent. You carefully study the Scriptures. You think that those Scriptures give you life forever. Those same Scriptures tell about me! But you refuse to come to me to have that life {you want}.