Luke 18:18-43
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Today we read the story of the Rich Man in Luke chapter 18! There are tons of commentaries on how to interpret this story - including this commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org titled "Blessed Babes and a Miserable Millionaire" at this link. The verses that always speak to me the most are verses 29 & 30 where Jesus teaches - "I assure you, everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, as well as receiving eternal life in the world to come." These are really some powerful verses for us to consider. Basically, I read - and I know from experience - that truly following Jesus comes with some costs. The costs may be loss of wealth, or worldliness, or power, or glamour, or friends, or even family perhaps. But, if we are accepting these costs for the sake of the Kingdom, then they are in my estimation our crosses that we must bear to truly follow Jesus. Following Jesus is not always easy. The world's temptations will do everything they can for us to not follow Jesus. "It's too hard to follow Jesus." "Come have fun." "It's too much cost to follow Jesus." But... we really need to stay in constant prayer and stay close to God to realize that following Jesus - along w/ all the costs that may be associated with following Jesus - is the only True way to live life. All other paths will lead to misery. Following Jesus and accepting the costs or our crosses ultimately leads to life in abundance. And life for eternity. Are there costs in your life that you are willing to accept to follow Jesus?
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 18 readings today titled "From the Sublime to the Ridiculous" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today's readings in Luke today reminded me of the song "All My Hope" sung here by David Crowder and Tauren Wells:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tElvdnId4Q
Where is All Your Hope? Click here for eternal Hope!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life." Luke 18:29-30 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that the Kingdom of God is the top priority in your life. Pray that your relationship with Jesus is the top relationship priority in your life. Pray that you will follow Jesus, no matter the cost.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
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