Chapter 19

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

I can do it by myself, I am independent, I am self-sufficient. These attributes [which are good] have been overdriven to the [current] state where society preaches a religion of independence and dependence on your own ability; clearly, still remaining dependent on your ability, wealth, status, etc. You can see a great deal with the current decade and the prior one. Children were raised as part of the communities, but in our current state, the Government has sadly taken up the role of not only the communities but some parents as well. Obviously, this leaves young kids insufficiently coached.

The same is evident for those who trust in riches rather than in God. It is IMPOSSIBLE to achieve eternal gains and merit using ONLY mortal resources. Jesus says in Matthew 19:24, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, FOR SUCH BELONGS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN."

It is only if we surrender the mediocre, inadequate, and fleeting "knowledge" we think we know, that we will be able to understand some things in God which only those who depend on Him can. This dependence has to be a complete, all-round, all-encompassing, and total dependence. It should never be just a simple ascension or knowledge of. We see this in James 2:19: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."

Complete devotion, Total dependence, and Absolute submission. These are what Jesus requires of us. Our treasure is not docked here on earth where moth and dust rage their wrath, but our treasure is in heaven, in the immortal, eternal, everlasting presence of God.

Clearly, there is a sacrifice demanded of each of us. This is not an exception, as those who walked before us [12 Disciples of Jesus] paid it with their tune of their lives.  That may be required for some of us today, but to most of us, our sacrifice might be waking up at 5 am to pray for our family, giving in our local community, or ministering to those who are incarcerated.  The flesh will always demand self-preservation, but it is upon us to keep up the good fight and await our crowns in Heaven just as Paul said.

Our prayer today is that God may help us to die to self; we pray for the strength to cut off our coping mechanisms and come to the original source of life. Jesus, we pray that You may enable us to submit in totality to You and Your will for our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen

"Give us the strength to come to You Jesus, the original source of life"