Lent - Day 29 - Children Show the Way

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2025

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Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. 

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Matthew 19:13-30

It is a stunning contrast of two encounters. First, people bring infants to be blessed by Jesus. He declares that God’s reign is theirs, rebutting the disciples who did not want Jesus to be bothered by them. On the other hand, there is a young man who having “obeyed the laws,” is seen by the disciples as the example of one who has been saved by God. Jesus uses him as an object lesson to show all of humanity’s inability to garner access to the Kingdom. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For my ways are higher than your ways.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) We have our own thoughts as to what should grant a person access to the Father, to life, to eternity. We have our own ideas about how these determinations should be made and confidences should be instilled. Those thoughts become the lenses with which we view the world, ourselves, others, and God. But Jesus makes it very clear that these infants in their helplessness are the picture of God’s reigning work. 

For with man, salvation is impossible, but with God all things are possible. When Jesus declares a child has been saved, when Jesus declares his disciples are saved, when Jesus declares you to be saved, when Jesus declares that I am saved, then it is absolutely so! Why? Because He and only He can accomplish such things. He does so through His divine wisdom and according to the good and gracious will of the Father. He accomplished it on the cross and declares it in our baptism.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, 

                  Continually work in us a child-like faith where our “grown-up” understandings do not impede our trust in the all-sufficient grace of Christ. Continue to establish Your saving faith in all people including all the little children. Amen.

Something Different for May - Day 15 - Life In the Spirit

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 

Romans 8:1-17 NLT

Prayer  Day 15

Father, 

          What comfort today! There is now no condemnation for people who, like me, are in Christ. You’ve set us free from the law of sin and death! Your Spirit testifies still today that I’m Your child. I’m a co-heir with Christ. I’ll share in His suffering—and in His glory. Amen!

Praying Through Romans     www.crosswalk.com

Friends' Favorites - The Children's Children

But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
Psalm 103:17-18 NLT

When I was in my late teens and early twenties, my mother used to tell me that I might as well give up and get right with God because I had a praying mother and grandmother. She stood on this promise for today.

This is a promise I have now stood on for many years. It covered my children while they were growing up, and when they were growing and going away. 

It is a promise for my beloved grandchildren, from the youngest to the older ones who are now growing up and growing away. Our time with them is so short. Only a loving God can make sure that it is enough. 

God's Word has stood the test of time. It is relevant for this time and for ALL time because it is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). I trust God to keep them, and for His salvation to guide and guard their hearts and minds. God's salvation extends to all of them - my children and my children's children. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Your grace is sufficient in and for all things. Your salvation is a promise fulfilled through Christ. Thank You for Your Word that we can stand and build our lives on and the lives of our children and our children's children. Teach us to remain faithful and to continue to walk in obedience. No slacking. Their very lives depend on it. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen

We Learn What We Live +

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

Galatians 6:7-8 NLT

Pastor Alan Neel said, In order to have a new day, you have to be sick enough of your yesterday to plant something new. Selah... stop and think about that for a minute.

We may want things to change. We may even pray for deliverance of whatever it is we want changed. However, if we keep planting the same seeds of anger, bitterness, hatred, or strife, we will continue to reap the fruit of it. And you can't allow someone else to sow those things in your fertile ground, either.

Many years ago, I found this poem for the first time. And although it speaks specifically about children, it applies to all of us.

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

Dorothy Law Nolte

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with jealousy, he learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition, he learns that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing, he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with honesty and fairness, he learns what truth and justice are.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.

If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If you live with serenity, your child will live with peace of mind.

With what is your child living?

With what are YOU living?

Prayer:

Father,

       Teach us Your ways, O Lord. Help us to be ever mindful of the thoughts and intents of our own hearts. May they always be pleasing to You. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen

Long Before

It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
1st Peter 1:19-20 NLT

Christmas Eve... almost Christmas morning. On Christmas Eve eve, I listened as Amelia, one of my teenaged granddaughters, talked about the anticipation of Christmas morning and how hard it was/is to sleep. As "grownup" as she has become (she graduated from high school six months ago), I saw again the little girl in her who tried hard to be obedient and go to bed on Christmas Eve. I remembered her impassioned plea as a child, "Granna, how am I supposed to sleep?!?" And all the while, her parents needing the children to be asleep to finish their tasks for Christmas morning...

As I listened to Amelia on Sunday, I thought of Christ's words in Matthew 18 about becoming like little children... the anticipation, the adoration, the exuberance, the love; instead of adults who are caught up in the cares of the world and what we think must be done...

Oh, that we would be anticipating the coming of Christ like children anticipating Christmas morning! When we are celebrating the greatest gift ever! Chosen to be given to us long before the world began...

Prayer:

Father,
           I know that people the world over debate about Christmas. Forgive us for our finite thinking of what day or what season based on what calendar so much so that we lose sight of the Truth. The Truth that You did send Your Son to this world so through Him we might be saved. Thank You, Father. Thank You that long before we were ever born You loved us enough to send Jesus as our Christ, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. We pray Your will, Father, that all should come to repentance and that none perish. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* The Children's Children

But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
Psalm 103:17-18 NLT

When I was in my late teens and early twenties, my mother used to tell me that I might as well give up and get right with God because I had a praying mother and grandmother. She stood on our Promise for Today.

This is a promise I have now stood on for many years. It covered my children while they were growing up, and when they were growing and going away. 

It is a promise for my beloved grandchildren, from the youngest to the older ones who are now growing up and growing away. Our time with them is so short. Only a loving God can make sure that it is enough. 

God's Word has stood the test of time. It is relevant for this time and for ALL time because it is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). I trust God to keep them, and for His salvation to guide and guard their hearts and minds. God's salvation extends to all of them - my children and my children's children. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Your grace is sufficient in and for all things. Your salvation is a promise fulfilled through Christ. Thank You for Your Word that we can stand and build our lives on and the lives of our children and our children's children. Teach us to remain faithful and to continue to walk in obedience. No slacking. Their very lives depend on it. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen

I Got This! +

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him. Deuteronomy 7:9-10 NLT Note: I wrote this over 3 years ago. I am posting part of it tonight, because I want to give testimony of what God has done and continues to do.  ***************************************************** God has promised all along that He would bring our children back to Himself. We push and we prod and we provoke our grown children... not necessarily to good works - and yet we don't see anything happening. "Where are You, God?" We're quick to call out when we don't see what we want to see in the span of time that WE have allotted for God to work. And when God doesn't operate in our timeframe, we're usually back to trying to do it ourselves...because after all, we're entering into the last days, right? Recently, I was reminding God yet again about one of my children. (My children are adults, not children to anyone but me... and God.) And I'm telling you, I heard God say, "I got this." And I barely paused in my litany of reasons why I needed Him to intervene quickly, etc, when I heard Him say again, "I've got this." The very next church service I attended, He confirmed His Word that He was covering this situation. So I made up my mind that I would start thanking Him in advance for giving me His word because I know He is bound by it. *****************************************************  Bringing it to today - I remember well the phone call I got from my child,  "God's got a hold of my heart and He won't let go! I can't sleep for thinking about those things I've failed to do - those things which I MUST do!"  Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations ... beginning with just our next generation. He's got this... Prayer: Father,          You are absolutely too amazing for me to comprehend. I don't know how You love me, or why You do. I just know You do because You ARE love.  Help us to trust You even more. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

* A Big Help

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16 NLT

Anyone who has ever worked in any capacity at a church – especially as a volunteer or over volunteer ministries - knows how difficult it can be to get people to commit to an area; and if you get one or two with true enthusiasm, it’s just this side of a miracle.

One Sunday, we were a few short for our Greeter Ministry. At the time, I was responsible for recruiting volunteers, so I was praying for some big help that morning.

The first one to offer to help turned out to be the best helper I’ve ever had in the Greeter ministry. A three-year-old little boy named Christian. Christian is a live-wire – high energy, strong-willed, and totally committed to whatever he has chosen to do at the moment – no matter what it is. (I’m not sure that’s always a thrill to his mother, but she’s got a good head on her shoulders and her heart is after God, so I have no doubt that Christian will BE a strong Christian as an adult.)

You might wonder what a then 3-year-old could do in the Greeter Ministry besides get in the way… well, you know that verse …a child shall lead them…? I wish you could have seen this little boy in action!

He determined that his job would be to open the door for people so they could enter. Doesn’t sound like too big of a deal, does it? Except Christian didn’t stand more than 30” tall. He’s a little bitty boy but he has a BIG “Yes-I-Can” attitude. He’d push for all he was worth to get that door open and once he got it open, he wanted to just hold it open. Yes, it would have been easier, except that this is Texas and it was July and we can’t stand with the door open…

So, I finally convinced him that we had to wait and watch for people to come up and then open the door when they got close enough. So he put his nose to the glass door and cupped his hands around his eyes like binoculars so he could make sure he saw them. And he was READY! Christian was so little then that sometimes the door pushed back on him and I would have to step up to help him keep it open. And the wonderful thing was, he didn't see that as him not being able to do it, he saw it as teamwork – getting the job done together!

Now, some may have only seen a little guy – “technically” too little to help – but that didn’t stop him. Some may have only seen fingerprints and nose prints on the glass, but I saw a mighty man of God in the making. 

Oh, that we could all be like Christian when it comes to working for the Lord! Yes, I can do it, Lord! No, it’s not too hard. If You asked me to do it, it doesn't matter how big it is or how big I’m not!  Be a doorkeeper? You bet, God! I can do that! I’ll actively watch for them and usher them into Your house. I am well able and if I need help, I know You will help me or send someone to be a helper.

Where can you be a big help?

Prayer:

Father,
        Thank You for loving us enough to teach us and to remind us that anything and everything that is done for You or in Your Name is worth doing well and with enthusiasm. Let us not forget. Open our eyes to see more opportunities to serve You and our fellow believers. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen