March '13
Cost...
The Rich and the Kingdom of God "a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?” he inquired.Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?” he inquired.Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits 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 wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." (Matthew 19 16-30)
Jesus taught the disciples about God's love and care for them ~ and he also showed them that to follow Him would be costly. (Matthew 20 17-19)*. God requires that we walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8) and have the priorities of His kingdom...even while still in the world (Romans 12:2, 2Corinthians 4:18)
Jesus taught the disciples about God's love and care for them ~ and he also showed them that to follow Him would be costly. (Matthew 20 17-19)*. God requires that we walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8) and have the priorities of His kingdom...even while still in the world (Romans 12:2, 2Corinthians 4:18)
Our life with Christ may well cost time, love, energy, status, position...but Jesus has already given far more (Luke 23:46) and will reward those who obey his word.
Thank God for all that He has given you and be prepared to trust him further ...
Lord of All Hopefulness
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy,
be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.
Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day
Jan Struther 1931
Don't forget ~ 'Daily Strength' @hearttothelord
Thank God for all that He has given you and be prepared to trust him further ...
Lord of All Hopefulness
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy,
be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.
Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day
Jan Struther 1931
Don't forget ~ 'Daily Strength' @hearttothelord
* Easter mini-study on 'sacrifice' from the gospel of Matthew:
- disbelief Jesus encountered Matthew 6 8-12, 21-27
- the challenge of going against the religious flow Matthew 23
- emotional and physical harm Matthew 20 17-19, 26:56,67, 27:27-41
- painful stress Matthew 26 36-46
- sold for gain & humiliated Matthew 27 1-10..
- death Matthew 27:45...yet throughout all Jesus believed and trusted in his Father's love and he 'was risen indeed' Matthew 27 51-54
Welcome to Heart to the Lord.com
Here you will find help and information to encourage your Life with God*
I trust you will enjoy browsing and pray you will be inspired to "seek the Lord with all your heart"
Here you will find help and information to encourage your Life with God*
I trust you will enjoy browsing and pray you will be inspired to "seek the Lord with all your heart"