I believe that if you look around and evaluate your life, and even the lives of your family and friends, you might conclude that you all seem to be living for the ‘almighty dollar’ and the conveniences of life that money can buy. Jesus had just told the rich young ruler that he needed to rid himself of earthly possessions/distractions and then consider following Him as his Master. These verses immediately followed where Jesus spoke about the advantages of making earthly sacrifices to grow the Kingdom of God here on earth. We fit right in the middle of this discussion, so let’s meditate on the Word of God for a few moments today.

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2021-06-03
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 10:29-30
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 29 Jesus told him:
You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for me and for the good news 30 will be rewarded. In this world they will be given a hundred times as many houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and pieces of land, though they will also be mistreated. And in the world to come, they will have eternal life. 

APPLICATION: Take a quick look at the rewards in store for the believer in Jesus Christ, and you might wonder what could possibly be concerning to unbelievers when they use the excuse that they would have to give up everything in order to surrender their lives to Jesus! I must share with you the testimony of an old missionary from our church. He shared with the men’s group how, when he was called on mission by Jesus, he started by giving his home and earthly possessions to a local church. He didn’t sell the house, because that was not a part of God’s calling. God told him that if he agreed to go to the mission field, he would take care of him. The gentleman didn’t want the worries of home and property back in the US, and he wanted to take God at His word about caring for him in a foreign land. He stood before us, after retiring from the mission field, and his life was about as rich as one could every expect to be here on earth. He had successfully completed a lot of work overseas, and now the work continues under his wise counsel. He was well cared for, healthy, blessed and living in a home located in a Missionary Camp in our local area. I now wonder if this Scripture was an inspiration to His life’s commitment and story of success? Friends, God is always true to His commitment to us. If He takes us to a situation, He will see us successfully through it. Just look at the blessings in store for those who commit to give up their life, as they know it today, and follow Him into His mission, wherever needed. He has gifts stored up for us here on earth, and He also has a glorious home prepared for us to spend eternity, when we leave this world! Notice that neither of God’s promises are conditional upon the stock market, as those rich on earth are so concerned about. I am convinced that God not only loves us unconditionally today, but praise the Lord He also has a whole new world prepared for us on the other side!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: There is no distinction in God’s Word that specifies which class, color or creed of people His rewards will be awarded to – just children of the Most High God who have chosen to surrender to His call on their life! That includes me – and you, my faithful readers and podcast listeners! Praise to our Almighty God!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for loving even me, and the plans You have for me! Thank You for my readers and listeners of this devotional, together we praise You and look forward to not only enjoying our heavenly home, but just to see you face-to-face and worship at the feet of You and our Mighty God! Please Lord, use us in Your service while here on earth as we prepare for the glorious day when we will transition from earth to heaven! I am convinced that the best is yet to come! AMEN!