<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="mr+10:13-31">Mark 10:13-31</span></span></p><p>Today we ask ourselves: If happiness is not something we can create but something we receive, how do we go about receiving it? Listen again to the words of Jesus: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? There are those who tell us that the words should read, "Blessed in spirit are the poor" - an idea derived from  <span class="scriptRef" ref="lu+6:20">Luke 6:20</span>, which reads: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." Our Lord, however, is not thinking here of material poverty, but spiritual poverty: "Blessed are the poor in spirit." The word for "poor" in the Greek is ptochos and refers to a chosen poverty. It implies a voluntary emptying of the inner being and is used of those who by choice are so poor that they become poor enough to receive. One translation puts it: "Blessed are those who are receptive in spirit" - those who are willing to empty their hands of their own possessions and have them filled with the riches of God. Jesus' first prescription for happiness, then, is a voluntary act of self-renunciation. This reverses the usual prescriptions for happiness, which begin with words such as "assert", "take", "release" or "affirm". The first step, therefore toward mental and spiritual health is self-renunciation. It is the decision we must take to reach out and receive Christ - with empty hands. Note that - with empty hands. The reason why so many fail to find Christ is because they are so unreceptive. Christ cannot give Himself to them because they do not give themselves to Him. </p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">O Father, help me to fling everything else away so that I might find You. I will take this first prescription: I will be humble enough to acknowledge my need and receive. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="mr+9:30-37">Mark 9:30-37</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="mt+10:40">Matthew 10:40</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="lu+8:40">Luke 8:40</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+1:12">John 1:12</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was the attitude of the disciples?</li><li>What was Jesus' response?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (v. 15)

<p><span class="bible-text "> <sup class="verse-num ">27 </sup>But Jesus looked at them and said, <woj>“With men it is impossible, but not</woj> <woj>with God; for with God all things are possible.”</woj> </span></p>

But Jesus looked at them and said, <woj>“With men it is impossible, but not</woj><cr>1</cr><woj>with God; for with God all things are possible.”</woj>

Mark 10:27

 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

From Wikipedia: The New King James Version (NKJV) is an English translation of the Bible. The complete NKJV Bible was published in 1982 by Thomas Nelson. The NKJV is described by Thomas Nelson as being "scrupulously faithful to the original, yet truly updated to enhance its clarity and readability."




NKJV

New King James Version

 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but notwith God; for with God all things are possible.”

<p><span class="bible-text ">But Jesus looked at them and said, <woj>“With men it is impossible, but not</woj> <woj>with God; for with God all things are possible.”</woj> </span></p>

 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Bible Verse of the Day

December 8, 2025

Mark 10:27 NKJV

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