23-25Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who 'have it all' to enter God's kingdom?" The disciples couldn't believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: "You can't imagine how difficult. I'd say it's easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for the rich to get into God's kingdom."
26That set the disciples back on their heels. "Then who has any chance at all?" they asked.
27Jesus was blunt: "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it."
28Peter tried another angle: "We left everything and followed you."
29-31Jesus said, "Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They'll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first." - Mark 10:23-31, The Message
Dear Heavenly Father,
I learned about Your Holiness today and I thank You for being that way. Nothing in heaven or on earth is going to change Your Holiness. I like it that way cause there's so much stability in that. Allows me to have the confidence to follow You. Sometimes it's not about asking You whether You are with me; I think it's the other way around; You can't answer what You've already answered again and again anyway. You've already said You are surely with us even to the end of the age. So in Your Sovereignty You allowed me to see the fact that You still are God and that's just the way it is, no matter what's happening on the ground; whether I've screwed up or someone else has in Your will for me. As long as I cling to You and lean on You, You'll show me the way. Amazing is Your Grace!
Now I'm asked the question. What do You mean to say "no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out."? Is my family situation a strategic distraction by the devil so I can't be what You called me to be? I do know this isn't Your will; the way things are today. That's why I'm contending for restoration and salvation. Seems like the only answer. At the same time I realize things are getting quite tense and it's clouding up my relationship with You especially when I'm persecuted. This battle's Yours not mine right? Better stop getting personal about the things happening and strive to keep my eyes on You and draw strength from You. I can't do this myself. I need Your direction. When to pull back? When to go in?
Walking as You lead,
Vince
Mantou at 12:18 AM