**Read Matthew 19:13-15 and Romans 16:1-16
I. Jesus Blesses the Little Children
- In Matthew 19:13-15, children were trying to go to Jesus when His disciples tried to deny them. Jesus reminded the disciples that children are those who are going to the Kingdom of God. This does not mean that only children can enter but if you remember our study of Matthew 18:1-5, Jesus wanted us to be like children who are innocent and humble. We need to change our attitudes to those that are like children's who are willing to listen and learn. We need to get rid of the stubbornness and the hardness of our hearts because we think that we already know God's Word and plan. Sometimes we let our religious education and sophistication stand in the way of the simple faith needed to believe in our savior, Jesus Christ.
II. Paul Greets His Friends at Rome
- In Romans 16:1-16, Paul sent greeting to people he knows who are fellow workers for Christ. As we can see the names, Paul listed Romans, Greeks, Jews and Gentiles, men and women, prisoners and good citizens. This shows us that a follower of Christ can be anyone. Unlike popular belief, the Church is open to anyone and no priest or man can deny access to God's temple no matter how bad your past is. Everyone deserves to hear the Good News and everyone should have a chance to know God and have a relationship with him. If you are one of them, God does not care if you had committed murder, adultery, lies, idolatry, steal, or worshiped man and their statues. The Kingdom of God will be open when you return to the father. It is not too late to repent and trust in the Lord. Remember:
"16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
III. Proverbs for Today/10:3-4
3 The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.
4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
IV. Additional Old Testament Reading:
Leviticus 6, Leviticus 7:1-27, and Psalms 31:1-11
