Choose

Choose
The book of Joshua tells of Joshua giving the Israelites a choice. It states,
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24: 14,15
This is the same choice we have today.
In our twenty-first century world we have many gods whether we admit it our not. Everything from money, to our job, to what we own, or want to own can become our gods. It just depends on the emphasis we place on these things. After all having wealth, having your dream job, owning or wanting to own a home and nice things is not sinful. They only become sinful if they pull you away from God or cause you to do negative things to those around you.
Jesus warned
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.  
Where our true treasure, is where our heart lies.
Matthew’s gospel records this,
“Now 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, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do 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.” Matthew 19:16-22.
This young man believed there was a God BUT he put his trust in his wealth not in God. He lacked the faith to give up all he had in this world and trust exclusively in God to provide for him.
Thus my question to you the reader is, if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus are you willing if asked by God, to give up all you own and rely entirely on God to provide for you?
Is you treasure in Heaven or on Earth?
Please think about it.

Devotion

Devotion
John’s Gospel records,
“Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  
Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.  
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:1-3.
Anointing a guests feet in the time of Jesus was a sign of devotion to the person. Mary however took this one step further. She took a pint of pure nard an expensive perfume that cost almost a years wages for the average person and anointed the feet of Jesus. That’s how much she loved Jesus.
Mary had shown in physical terms, in monetary terms, if you will, how much she loved Jesus.
I wonder how many who call themselves followers of Jesus especially in North America or in the western nations of the world are willing to give up a years wages to show their love of Jesus?
Many believers around the world today in areas that persecute believers in Christ put their life on the line for their faith. They risk not only going to jail for what they believe, but death.
Those of us who live in North America and the western democracies the so called free nations of the world have no such worries.
So the question becomes, if you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ are you willing to give up your material possessions for your faith?
Matthew’s gospel records this incident between Jesus and a wealth man. Matthew records,
“Now 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, obey the commandments.” 
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do 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.” Matthew 19:16-22.
True scripture tells us that we are saved by our faith. It is however only when we are willing to give up everything we have materially and for that matter even our life that we demonstrate true faith in Christ.
The disciples of Jesus showed this. All but one died for their faith. Faithful followers of Christ Jesus throughout the centuries since then have shown their willingness to die for their faith.
It is my hope that if you are a true follower of Jesus Christ that you will never be called upon to give up all you have materially, or to give up your life for the furtherance of the kingdom of God. That however being said, if you are a true follower of Jesus you must be willing to do so.
Please think about it.