Verse of the Day 9/9

Through the Bible - Proverbs 17-18, 2 Corinthians 4

 

Good morning,

Most of you know and are aware that our oldest son Jeff was in a car accident at the age of 16 which left him with a traumatic brain injury and permanent disability.  He can do very little for himself and needs pretty much 100% care.

He is totally dependent on others (us) for everything that he needs.  What kind of life is that?

That life is in the beauty of the eyes of the beholder.

Doctors had told us early on that Jeff would never walk or talk again.  Well, that was partially true.  He can take a few steps, with support from someone else, to get from his wheelchair to bed or exercise table.  More importantly he is able to speak.  His words are few, but they often blow me away.

One of the things that he commonly tells me when I go into his room first thing in the morning is to say "thank you for this wonderful life", or "this great life".  Think about that.  I'm humbled by it.

For today's verse we'll go to Matthew 18 where Jesus gives us a requirement for those who want to enter the kingdom of God.

 

Matt 18:2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.   NKJV
The Amplified Bible gives us some more to think about what it means to become as "little children".

Matthew 18:2-3 (Amplified Bible) And He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them,

³And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].

Think about these words - trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving.  Would they express your hearts attitude in coming to Christ.  This trusting is learning to depend upon Him.  In this day and age, most everyone is seeking personal independence and freedom.  What Christ requires is surrender, quiet trust, dependence upon Him.  In doing so you will find His kingdom and it begins now.

 

I'm thankful for the few words that Jeff speaks.  I'm thankful for the life that God has given him.  I'm thankful for how much Jeff has taught us and others about hope, faith, trust, and love.  And I'm most thankful of how he loves.

 

If you are down on your life's circumstances, spend some time with someone who is dependent, totally dependent on others and yet show the "joy that is down in their hearts to stay."  They'll appreciate your time and attention and you may go away thanking God for your "wonderful life."

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Matt 18:1-6

Who Is the Greatest?
(Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48)

 

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

 

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.   NKJV