WHAT? “The last will be first?” One commentary on that shocking statement by Jesus…to His disciples… explains that He was casting a hope about their astonishing eternal future. They heard about great REWARDS for anyone who fully commits to following Him through trials, tests and persecution. (Matthew 19:28–29) Jesus concludes His promise with a puzzling statement to set up the parable in Matthew 20 which explains what the kingdom is like. There are many pearls to ponder in God’s enduring word. Jesus said “If you want to be perfect, sell all your possessions and come and follow Me.” Peter replied to Jesus “We have given up everything to follow You. What do we get? Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon His glorious throne, you who have been My followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for My sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” Matt 19:20-30 NLT Our Father knows the motive of why we seel, and why we serve. To glorify Him, our to gain honor for ourselves.

“the last will be first.” The general meaning: Those who have lost the most (the Jew) on earth to follow Jesus will receive eternal rewards alongside those who sacrificed much less by comparison. Not all the rewards will be the same, necessarily, but some who were wealthy on earth will be the last in the kingdom and some who were last on the earth will be first in the kingdom. There is nothing that we can do by ourselves to get into heaven, our salvation is a gift from God. The path of the righteous is the humble way, a path of servanthood. Matthew 18-19 Audio commentary by Pastor Chuck Smith on Enduring Word. http://blb.sc/009Nqe

In all cases, God will keep His promises to all, and none will have legitimate reasons to describe God as unfair. Nor will anyone have a valid reason to think that their status in life directly reflects their status in eternity. “Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave. The Son of Man came to serve, not to be served.” Matthew 20

Trust Jesus and ponder His Word, His promises, His love for you ❤️ Your value to God cost Him. Our Father suffered greatly to provide the Way, the Life — in Jesus. This world is fleeting, your worth is eternal. Any gift we have, any power we have is because God is with us. Our Father did not expect us to be effective for His kingdom on our own. His grace, love, power, and presence are ever available to us.

He uses the humble and willing to share the gospel with others. Speak of what Jesus has done in you. Trust that He gave you a gift, and a specific personality in order that you reach a certain group of people. Confidently we Pray knowing that our Father listens, cares, and responds in His way, in His timing. The Holy Spirit continues to convict, comfort, heal and work miracles. Share the reality of God’s nearness with a world that needs to be touched by a holy Scripture that you share. His Word has the power to infiltrate into the soul of those who are desperate. May you be compelled to share a Scripture with someone, that they might come to fascinate on His living, active Word. AMEN

With Joy leading and Bobbi hosting a gaggle of Bible Nerds, we just finished up being transformed by the renewing of our minds. In honor of the Word our Lord delivered unto us — by the personality and Holy Spirit inspired pen of Paul, we are reminded that God is ever watching us. To quote Joy, “Think of our Father binge watching us like we are His favorite TeleHeart series.” https://amazed2017.com/2023/07/12/bird-messengers/