April 21, 2019

April 21

Running with Jesus  

Luke 18:21-25  And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

      I told you Jesus wants in our pocketbooks! It will reveal the condition of our hearts!   This rich good man comes to Jesus and ask about how to be born again.  Jesus tells him you know and keep the commandments of God. He said he had done all those things! Then Jesus, knowing where to bring light into the matter says, "Go sell all you have and give to the poor!" He left sad! 

      Just like us! We want messages that step on our toes but Jesus aim is for our hearts! He is Lord of all or not Lord at all! This man left sad. Why? He loved his lifestyle! He wanted no part of change! He thought he was keeping the Ten Commandments but was He? He wasn't willing to give His offerings, so scripture tells us he was robbing or stealing from God! No idols were to be before God but money was his idol!  This man was judging his works by his standard but we have to measure ours by God’s standard! God looks and sees every motive in our heart! 

      Going to church outwardly is not God's goal for us! God is looking for that transformed heart. This man probably went daily to the temple and was proud of his attendance records and was doing all the right motions but went away sad! 

      Jesus said it will be hard for the rich to be in heaven but it is possible with God! God could have turned his business into a miracle and gave him more! But he had his own agenda! He liked his padded check

book and lifestyle. We better do a spiritual inventory!

Lord, help us be willing to give You our all! You gave us Your all! Death on a cross to redeem our souls from hell and we won’t even give You a couple of hours of worship! Fishing and shopping and pleasures deserve more time than You! Oh God have mercy upon us as ignorant souls! America open your blinded eyes! A fool says in His heart there is no God and sin says there is no pay day! Oh Lord help us! 

PRAY CHURCH PRAY AND GET OUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER! 

A blind man is sitting near, in the morning!

 Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015