A TOUGH DECISION TO MAKE

Newsletter 135  April 12. 2009

IS IT REALLY?

I have titled this study, “A tough decision to make,” but is it really? It all depends on the person making the decision, but it is one that we all make at one time or another. The first person came to Jesus on his own and seemingly had already made the decision that e was going to follow him wherever he chose to go. That seems to be good, but he failed the very first test. Was he prepared to make sacrifices when the going started to get tough. Had Jesus been a teacher who would provide everything for him settling down in a monastery somewhere and providing comfort, food and whatever he needed, then that was good. He would do that, but that is not what Jesus said. He, the teacher did not have a settled place to live, he did not promise material needs, what he did offer was hardship, neglect, sleeping where ever shelter was to be found, perhaps a cave in the mountains or shelter in a garden such as Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. or occasionally an upper room in someone’s home. He had not even counted the cost, and when reminded, he went away.

JESUS CHOSE THE SECOND MAN

Jesus chose the next man saying, “Follow me.” This man did know the cost and was ready to make the choice, as soon as he had fulfilled his family responsibilities. There is nothing to indicate that he father had died. He was probably healthy and would live for years yet. Jesus’ response was, “Let the dead bury the dead but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”

WE ALL MUST MAKE THIS DECISION

Actually, this is the same decision all Christians have had to make. He said later, recorded by Matthew in his gospel, Matthew 28:19-20, and Mark in his. Mark 16:15-16)

Let’s read the account. Luke 9:57-62
(Matthew 8:18-22) (King James Version)

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. (Luke 9:51, Mark 8:19-22)

58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20)

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. (Matthew 8:22)

60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. (Matthew 4:23)

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. (1 Kings 19:20)

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Philippians 3:13)

Let us realize that there is nothing, not family responsibilities, not children, grandchildren, or even great grandchildren, not home, or even national identity, nothing, that is more important than our relationship with Jesus.

JESUS WILL NOT BE DEBTOR TO ANY MAN

He reserves the reward for that which matters most, eternity. Look ahead ; look ahead at the destination for the faithful. Servant. “I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again.” (John 14:2-3, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 11:14-16, Revelation 11)

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009
APRIL
12th. Sunday - Deuteronomy 28, Luke 14, Psalm 44:13-26
13th. Monday - Deuteronomy 29,30,31, Luke 15, Psalm 45:1-9
14th. Tuesday - Deuteronomy 32, Luke 16, Proverbs 9:13-18
15th. Wednesday - Deuteronomy 33,34, Luke 17, Psalm 45:10-17
16th. Thursday – Joshua 1, Luke 18:1-17, Psalm 46
17th. Friday – Joshua 2,3, Luke 18:18-43, Psalm 47:1-9
18th. Saturday – Joshua 4,5, Luke 19:1-27, Proverbs 10:1-10

LINKS TO OUR BLOG SITES
• http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com/
• http://scripturegems.blogspot.com/
• http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com/
• http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/
• http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/ (These letters as blogs)
• http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com/
• http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com/
• http://stan2hope.stumbleupon.com/
• http://47yearsinafrica.blogstream.com/


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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

"It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

Luke 4:4


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Worry Wort ...
Fresh out of business school, the young man answered a want ad for an accountant. Now he was being interviewed by a very nervous man who ran a small business that he had started himself.

"I need someone with an accounting degree," the man said. "But mainly, I'm looking for someone to do my worrying for me."

"Excuse me?" the accountant said.

"I worry about a lot of things," the man said. "But I don't want to have to worry about money. Your job will be to take all the money worries off my back."

"I see," the accountant said. "And how much does the job pay?"

"I'll start you at eighty thousand."

"Eighty thousand dollars!" the accountant exclaimed. "How can such a small business afford a sum like that?"

"That," the owner said, "is your first worry."
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