DATE POSTED Saturday, 2022-07-16
WRITTEN AT: O Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 10:17; 24-25;
TRANSLATION: The Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁷ As he was starting out on a trip, a man came running to him and knelt down and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get to heaven?”
²⁴ This amazed them. So Jesus said it again: “Dear children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God. ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

APPLICATION: It’s interesting to notice how certain things, and certain lifestyles might be considered acceptable by us and how we may even see open doors for acceptance into heaven. For us, it may not necessarily be riches that we may have placed our faith in, although many consider that as an open door for gaining access to any person. But we may feel like our position in church, or our giving to the church, may gain us access into heaven, as God may seek to reward us for our good works and giving spirit. It could be that our willingness to accept everyone at face value and not judge them for actions that are opposed to our personal beliefs and values in life; or our commitment to avoid cursing; drinking; or doing drugs; that may force us to feel safe and accepted by God. But friends, if it was as easy to enter heaven’s portals as our earthly minds would lead us to think, why do you suppose God saw the need to send His only Son into the world and contend with all the evil and sinful acts that we are well aware of? Why would God have seen the necessity to sorrowfully permit His Son to be beaten, abused, cursed, and hung on a cross, for the redemption of our sin? Are you naïve enough to believe that God went through all of the above to simply offer a suggestion to men who couldn’t find their own way into heaven? The rich young ruler probably had everything he needed to get into every place on earth; mix with everyone, no matter what their position was on earth; associate with the richest of men or the poorest and most unfortunate on earth; but his eyes were opened to the fact that there was nothing in his arsenal of assets that would get him into heaven or live eternally with the King of all kings. Jesus’ instruction to the young man is something that applies to everyone in search of eternity in heaven, or the endless joy and happiness of being in the presence of the Creator for ever and ever: “redirect your trust”. You obviously know that monetary; nor youthfulness; nor earthly leadership; nor even obeying the commandments will get you into heaven. There is only one way, and it is spelled out by Jesus in John 3:16 – ‘Whoever believes in Jesus – will be saved and receive eternal life’. Notice that ‘Whoever’ clears it all up on who qualifies to believe in Jesus: Rich or poor; Young or old; world leader or slave; church leader or new member; living in a palace or a hut; Baptists of Methodists. Friends, I believe you will see from the aforementioned that because God made us all, He also accepts all who will place their trust in Him. No respecter of persons. If you are ready and willing to accept Jesus as Lord today, let me encourage you to view my Footnote and dive in to the Biblical references available when you click ‘To Know Jesus’. Speak with a Bible teaching pastor, or believer today and allow them to lead you, walk with you and encourage you on this new walk of life!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved from their sin, and look forward to eternity in Heaven!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for making salvation available to ALL, and thank You for guiding the rich, young, ruler from our Bible story today into a walk that led to Eternity in heaven. Lord, I pray that this devotional and Bible lesson will catch the attention of many who are yet to be saved. Please soften their hearts and show them Jesus, the One who died and rose again for the salvation of their sin. Convince them of their need for Jesus and give them the strength and boldness to make this important step in their life today. Be glorified because of sinners being saved through Your grace and because of Your sacrifice. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!