“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”

–Matthew 6:22-23 (kjv)

It is common practice in the church to discuss, pray, encourage each other in how we might each give more to God.  But what we rarely—if ever—discuss, pray, encourage each other regarding is how we might give all to God.

“Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” 

–Matthew 10:37 (esv)

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.  And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple. . . . In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.”

–Luke 14:26-27, 33 (esv)

To love You God above all, to love You with all that I am, to confess You as Lord with my lips, to confess You as Lord with my life; oh, have mercy that I would!  Would I keep it from You, take it into Your Hands.  Would I lay it upon the altar, tie the cords tight that it will ever be Yours and not mine.  Give me a single eye, oh Lord, and make me a light that shines bright and never dims.

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 

So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God.  You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”

And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 

But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”  And the disciples were astonished at His words.  But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!  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.” 

And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” 

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” 

–Mark 10:17-27 (nkjv)

. . . “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.  At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

“But they all alike began to make excuses.  The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it.  Please excuse me.’

“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out.  Please excuse me.’

“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

“The servant came back and reported this to his master.  Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

“’Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.  I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

–Luke 14:16-24

What things and persons has God placed into your life that you treasure dearly?  Do not be like the rich young ruler.  Consider carefully Jesus’ invitation to you into His Kingdom; count the cost fully, leave nothing out, and rest not until you have finished.  I plead with you in love, do not make excuses.  For with God all things are possible.  Believe!

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently . . .”

–James 5:17 (esv)

Copyrighted material, used with permission.