Seek the Kingdom of God – Be as a little child

Hymn 318

Suffer the children to come to me,

This was the Master’s tender plea;

Gentle and loving, they are mine,

Ah, will not ye who see this sign

Come unto me?

He who receiveth the Word as they,

Teachable, ready to choose my way,

He shall have peace of sin forgiven,

He shall in this wise enter heaven;

Come unto me.

See ye the lilies, how fair they grow,

Clothed in a glory kings ne’er know;

They, like the sparrows, praise the Lord,

Publish my call with clear accord,

Come unto me.

THE HOLY BIBLE

Mark 10:13-16 [NLT]

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.

Matt. 18:1, 3-6, 10 [NLT]

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. . . . For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

I Sam. 3:1-5, 7-10 [NLT]

The boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon. One night . . . Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!” “. . . . He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”

“I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did. Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.” . . . So the Lord called a third time, . . . Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

Matt. 5:5, 8, 9 [KJV]

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. … Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

I Sam. 16:1, 10, 11, 12, 13 [NLT]

Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” All seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these. . . .Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.

I Sam. 17:1, 4, 32-34, 36-37, 41-42, 45-47, 50 [NLT]

The Philistines now mustered their army for battle. . .. Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! . . . . “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.” But David persisted. . . . .This pagan Philistine . .. . has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him . . . and he cursed David by the names of his gods. David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, . .. And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” So David triumphed over the Philistine

Is. 11:1, 2-4, 6, 8-9 [NLT]

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—. . .. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.

Luke 2:42-44, 46-49 [NLT and KJV]

When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. . . . Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “. . . Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” But why did you need to search? he asked. Didn’t you realize that I should be involved with my Father’s affairs [business]?

Is. 54:13 [KJV]

And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

I Pet. 5:6, 7 [KJV]

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Matt. 17:14-16, 18-21 [NLT]

A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well. Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” You don’t have enough faith, Jesus told them. I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.

Prov. 3:5-6 [NLT]

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

III John 1:4 [KJV]

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

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SCIENCE & HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Mary Baker Eddy

SH 236:28-29, 25

Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right. . . . Children are more tractable than adults, and learn more readily to love the simple verities that will make them happy and good.

SH 582:28

Children. The spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth, and Love.

SH 272:3-5

The spiritual sense of truth must be gained before Truth can be understood. This sense is assimilated only as we are honest, unselfish, loving, and meek.

SH 192:30

Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power.

SH 514:18-25

Tenderness accompanies all the might imparted by Spirit. . . . , as witness the millennial estate pictured by Isaiah: — The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, And the leopard shall lie down with the kid; And the calf and the young lion, and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.

SH 337:14-16

Christian Science demonstrates that none but the pure in heart can see God, as the gospel teaches. In proportion to his purity is man perfect; and perfection is the order of celestial being which demonstrates Life in Christ, Life’s spiritual ideal.

SH 15:26-27

Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers.

SH 359:20

From Puritan parents, the discoverer of Christian Science early received her religious education. In childhood, she often listened with joy to these words, falling from the lips of her saintly mother, “God is able to raise you up from sickness;” and she pondered the meaning of that Scripture she so often quotes: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

SH 236:12

A mother is the strongest educator, either for or against crime. Her thoughts form the embryo of another mortal mind, and unconsciously mould it, either after a model odious to herself or through divine influence, “according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.” Hence the importance of Christian Science, from which we learn of the one Mind and of the availability of good as the remedy for every woe.

SH 62:4

The entire education of children should be such as to form habits of obedience to the moral and spiritual law, with which the child can meet and master the belief in so-called physical laws, a belief which breeds disease.

SH 237:15-20

Children should be taught the Truth-cure, Christian Science, among their first lessons, and kept from discussing or entertaining theories or thoughts about sickness. To prevent the experience of error and its sufferings, keep out of the minds of your children either sinful or diseased thoughts. The latter should be excluded on the same principle as the former. This makes Christian Science early available.

SH 4:3-5

What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds.

SH 410:17-19

The Apostle John says: “There is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear.

SH 444:10

Step by step will those who trust Him find that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

SH 619:18 [Chapter on FRUITAGE]

I think I never realized what fear meant until I began to try and put into practice my understanding of Christian Science for my children. I have proved, however, many times, that fear can neither help nor hinder in our demonstration of truth. The first time I realized this was in the overcoming of a severe case of croup for my little boy. I was awakened one night by the sound that seems to bring terror to every mother’s heart, and found the little fellow sitting up in bed, gasping for breath. I got up, took him in my arms, and went into the next room. . . . I tried to treat him, but was so frightened I could not think; so I picked up Science and Health, which lay on the table beside me, and began reading aloud. I had read but a few lines when these words came to me as though a voice spoke, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” Almost immediately after, the little one said, “Mamma, sing ‘Shepherd,’ “ — our Leader’s hymn, that both the big and the little children love. I began singing, and commencing with the second line, the little voice joined me. I shall never forget the feeling of joy and peace that came over me, when I realized how quickly God’s word, through Science and Health and the beautiful hymn, had accomplished the healing work. — A. J. G., Riverside, Cal.

SH 23:27

“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!” expresses the helplessness of a blind faith; whereas the injunction, “Believe . . . and thou shalt be saved!” demands self-reliant trustworthiness, which includes spiritual understanding and confides all to God.

SH 382:19

A patient thoroughly booked in medical theories is more difficult to heal through Mind than one who is not. This verifies the saying of our Master: “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter therein.”

SH 236:29-12

While age is halting between two opinions or battling with false beliefs, youth makes easy and rapid strides towards Truth. A little girl, who had occasionally listened to my explanations, badly wounded her finger. She seemed not to notice it. On being questioned about it she answered ingenuously, “There is no sensation in matter.” Bounding off with laughing eyes, she presently added, “Mamma, my finger is not a bit sore.” It might have been months or years before her parents would have laid aside their drugs, or reached the mental height their little daughter so naturally attained. The more stubborn beliefs and theories of parents often choke the good seed in the minds of themselves and their offspring.

SH 130:20

Laboring long to shake the adult’s faith in matter and to inculcate a grain of faith in God, — an inkling of the ability of Spirit to make the body harmonious, — the author has often remembered our Master’s love for little children, and understood how truly such as they belong to the heavenly kingdom.

SH 62:16

Children should be allowed to remain children in knowledge, and should become men and women only through growth in the understanding of man’s higher nature.

SH 61:4-6, 11

The good in human affections must have ascendency over the evil and the spiritual over the animal, or happiness will never be won. . . . The offspring of heavenly-minded parents inherit more intellect, better balanced minds, and sounder constitutions.

SH 154:16-2

That mother is not a Christian Scientist, and her affections need better guidance, who says to her child: “You look sick,” “You look tired,” “You need rest,” or “You need medicine.” Such a mother runs to her little one, who thinks she has hurt her face by falling on the carpet, and says, moaning more childishly than her child, “Mamma knows you are hurt.” The better and more successful method for any mother to adopt is to say: “Oh, never mind! You’re not hurt, so don’t think you are.” Presently the child forgets all about the accident, and is at play.

SH 636:12-13 (np) [FRUITAGE]

It has been proven to me without a doubt that God is a very present help in trouble, and what a blessed help this wonderful truth is in the training of our children, and how quickly the child grasps it. Some time ago my little girl, then three years old, dislocated her shoulder. I was alone in the house at the time. The pain was so intense that she became faint. . . . Then like a flash came the thought, . . . Now is your time to prove God’s power and presence. With these thoughts came such a sense of calm and trustfulness that I lost all fear. I then asked the child if I should read to her; she said “Yes, mamma, read the truth-book” [Science and Health]. I kept reading aloud to her until my sister and two boys came in, when she jumped off her bed, so delighted to see her brothers that she forgot her arm. . . . When this happened, it was about 10.30 a.m. and by 3 p.m. she was playing out doors as though nothing had ever happened.  — Mrs. M. G., Winnipeg, Man.

SH 495:14-20

When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought. Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious — as Life eternally is — can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not.

SH 323:28

Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

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HYMNS

Newest Supplement

Quiet, Lord, my froward heart,

Make me gentle, pure, and mild,

Upright, simple, free from art;

Make me as a little child,

From distrust and envy free,

Pleased with all that pleaseth Thee.

What Thou shalt today provide

Let me as a child receive,

What tomorrow may betide

Calmly to Thy wisdom leave;

‘Tis enough that Thou wilt care,

Why should I the burden bear?

As a little child relies

On a care beyond its own,

Being neither strong nor wise,

Will not take a step alone,

Let me thus with Thee abide,

As my Father, Friend, and Guide.

Hymn 139

I walk with Love along the way,

And O, it is a holy day;

No more I suffer cruel fear,

I feel God’s presence with me here;

The joy that none can take away

Is mine; I walk with Love today.

Who walks with Love along the way,

Shall talk with Love and Love obey;

God’s healing truth is free to all,

Our Father answers every call;

‘Tis He dispels the clouds of gray

That all may walk with Love today.

Come, walk with Love along the way,

Let childlike trust be yours today;

Uplift your thought, with courage go,

Give of your heart’s rich overflow,

And peace shall crown your joy-filled day.

Come, walk with Love along the way.