LIVE IT TODAY: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
You are My precious child. My heart is set on finding you, keeping you, and rejoicing over you forever.
LIVE IT TODAY: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
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GOD'S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
You are My precious child. My heart is set on finding you, keeping you, and rejoicing over you forever.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | Matthew 18:1–5, 10, 12–14
The disciples approached Jesus and said,
"Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?"
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
"See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost."
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
The Way Up Is Down
The disciples’ question reveals something deeply human—our obsession with rank, status, and being “the greatest.” Jesus answers by placing a child in their midst. In that culture, children had no social clout, no legal standing, no claim to power. This is not a sentimental gesture—it’s a radical redefinition of greatness.
The Greek word for “turn” (strephō) means to reverse direction. Jesus is telling us: you can’t simply add humility to your ambition—you must turn around entirely. True greatness in the Kingdom comes not from ascending over others, but by descending into dependence on the Father.
The second part of the passage reveals God’s relentless heart: He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. This is not inefficient shepherding—it’s divine love that values every soul infinitely. In heaven’s economy, no one is expendable.
If we live this out at home, it changes everything. Parents, the way you handle your “one who strays”—whether a toddler in tantrum or a teen in rebellion—teaches your children how God loves. Do they see in you the patience, pursuit, and joy of the Good Shepherd? Do they hear you pray over them by name, not just in private, but aloud in their hearing?
The Kingdom belongs to the humble, the small, the found. And we are never more like our King than when we kneel low enough to lift another up.
“The whole of Christ’s life was a continual teaching: His silences, His miracles, His gestures, His prayer, His love for people, His special affection for the little and the poor…” (CCC 561)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Humility Check: Where in your life are you tempted to measure greatness by comparison instead of surrender?
The One Who Strays: Who might be your “one” that God is asking you to pursue with patience and love?
Childlike Faith: What is one area where God is inviting you to depend on Him more completely, like a child?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around, invite each person to name one way they can practice childlike humility this week. Then pray aloud over each by name:
“Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us as Your little ones. Help [name] to walk in humility, trust, and love. Make our family a reflection of Your Kingdom, where no one is lost, and every heart rests in You.”
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
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Turning Point Chiropractic | 353 Elm Street, Suite B Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 | 419-874-4840
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