God Saves The Rich And The Poor

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

                                                                       (Mark 10:23-27 KJV)

Is it impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of God? Jesus says no.

It is not impossible because the rich and the poor are in the hands of God. It is impossible for us whether rich or poor to enter eternal life on our own merit. We are saved only by faith alone in Christ alone. The rich may have a difficult time with this faith part though because they are so busy amassing wealth that they do not have the time to hear the word which is essential to a growing and thriving faith. As St. Paul wrote: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)

Our ultimate concern must always be our heavenly Father who sent His only begotten Son to die for us that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven and to one another. The worldly goods and pleasures that we seek can be a major distraction from having a relationship with the One who loves us and gave Himself for us.

No, it is not impossible for a rich man to receive eternal life. It is not impossible for anyone. Yet, we are not saved by the work of our hands. We are not saved because of how much we have or don't have. We are saved by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

By Faith We Move Forward

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."

                                                                                   (Heb 11:6-8 KJV)

Fear can easily coerce us into doing absolutely nothing or running in the opposite direction. Yet, Noah and Abraham, as well as many others who trusted God before us, moved forward. They did what God asked of them because they trusted Him. 

Believing an unseen God and building an ark so that he and his family might live was a major change in Noah's life. It may have seemed foolish to the world around him. But, the results proved that it was not.

Abraham left his birth family; his home country, to be led by God through the wilderness to a land promised to him and his descendants was a major undertaking. It all rested on his trust in God. 

Moses, too, believed the words of God and led the Israelites out of captivity to journey to a promised land. The journey was long and hard, made harder by the many trust issues along the way among the Israelites. Moses actually never got to enter that promised land; but, he was able to lead the people of God to it because he trusted in the Lord and followed Him.

Hardships are encountered daily by the human race. There are wars and rumors of wars. There are natural disasters and diseases that threaten to take us down. But, fear should never be allowed to keep us from moving forward to receive the promises of God. If fear can do anything positive, it should move us to hear the word of the Lord and listen attentively to it so that we might know the way in which to go.

Faith overcomes fear of things that might stand in our way of moving forward. Remember, the promises of the Lord and keep in mind what St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:28) Walk in faith. God has a good purpose for you. Do not let the fear that permeates the world around you stop you from receiving the good plans He has for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Impossible Without God

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  (Eph 3:20-21 NIV)

It is absolutely impossible for me to accomplish anything without the help of God. I must throw myself at his feet daily just to be able to do what little I am able to get done each done. 

I must confess that, unlike Paul who boasted in his weakness, I am not quite so ready to delight in my weaknesses even if I know that it in the end it will glorify God. (2 Cor 12:9-10) 

I know that in order to be fruitful that it must be Christ working within me. I cannot by own wisdom or strength accomplish that which needs to be accomplished. Yet, God often has to remind me that it is not I; but, Christ who lives in me (Gal 2:20) who does what needs to be done, glorifying our Father in heaven.

Consider how the persecuted gets through each day, each year, each decade. Around the world for as long as Christians have spread the gospel, followers of Jesus have been threatened with torture, prison, and even death. How have they continued to live trusting in the one who lived and died for them? They have continued in faith by trusting in the one who lives again for them and within them by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

And, so we pray and thank God that even though we are weak we will continue to trust that he is able to do so much more than we can ever ask or imagine according to His power within us. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Message of the Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

                   “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

                   the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

                                                                              (1 Corinth 1:18-19 NIV)

For those who do not know Christ it is impossible to believe that through death on the cross eternal life is available to all people. It is impossible to believe that in order to live we must die. But, that is exactly what has happened. Christ was put to death to atone for our sins and yet he lives and because he lives, we live. This is foolishness to those who put their hope in the knowledge of the world. Yet, it is most certainly true.

I have not found the wisdom of the world to bring much comfort or peace. The ways of the world cannot save us no matter how wise we might think we are. Only Jesus can save us. Hear the message of the cross: the Good News that Jesus was crucified on the cross that we might live and live life abundantly in the presence of Almighty God for all of eternity. Foolishness? The world may say it is. But; I prefer to live, so I will trust in the message that we are saved by faith in Jesus and his life giving sacrifice for you and for me.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Have Faith?

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Heb 11:6 NIV)

What does it mean to really have faith? Faith must mean more than just believing that God exists somewhere out there. As James wrote: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." (James 2:19) Genuine faith seeks God. It seeks to be closer to God. It trusts Him to be with you and to be there for you. Genuine faith and genuine loved goes hand in hand. Without genuine faith; without genuine love for God; it is truly impossible to please Him.

May God help us to believe and trust in Him that we might be blessed with His presence for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Renew Our Strength

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Each day brings new challenges. New challenges can either invigorate us or wear us out. But, those who trust in the Lord keep moving forward, facing those challenges. We do so, not by our own power or might; but, because the Lord is with us and strengthens us.

Jesus calls us to follow him wherever he would lead. The road is not always easy. It is in fact impossible for mere human beings. But, with God, all things are possible. (Matt 19:26)

Lord, renew our strength that we might follow Jesus and do thy will.

God's Peace - Pr. J