16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, 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.”25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Mat. 19:16-30)
What are we really afraid of when it comes to the Lord? Are we afraid of God or afraid of what we have to give up to follow him? Is it our pride, or maybe it is our stubbornness. Either way it is all of him or nothing right? Do we really want to only partly follow Him and see what the out come is? Or do we lay down our lives for Him and become what we should be for the Lord? What challenges do we face in this world with Christ? When he calls us to follow him doesn’t that mean we take on the role of being a disciple of Christ, or do we turn around and become the Rich man who can not let go of the thing that hinders him? When do we become disciples? We become disciples when we can in the toughest time throw down our possessions, our anger, spitefulness, and unforgiving tongues and let God come in to our lives and not have to be fearful of who He is. This is the time of Love in all that want to be with Him and hear the truth from Him, not us. So isn’t our job to guide not push. To help not hinder. To love, not hate. To live in His joy, not in what we enjoy? We need to be afraid of not being with Him, and to not be afraid of Him. We are not aware of the countless people that are afraid of Him and his truth. Jesus was a blasphemer in His own town, because he spoke of truth; and truth is what people fear the most.
Folks this is what my wife wrote last night. I see the Lord calling us into repentance to follow Him and preach the Gospel. Not sit in the walls of the institutional church relying on the pastor, deacons or board to preach the Gospel. For we were all called to share His truth and apply Scripture to our lives.
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (Mat. 16:24-28)
Last Days of the Age 
Brother Al,
This is a wonderful Spirit led article that the Lord has directed at this time. In our after school Bible study we have been focusing on Luke 9:23 and the real meaning and cost of following Christ Jesus. Your words are exactly what we have been discussing and praying about. Luke 18:8 brings tears to my eyes as Jesus said, ” I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” This is not a dress rehearsal and we only get one go around. As Paul said in Acts 17:30 “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,” What a BEAUTIFUL GOD we have the privilege to serve. Love you brother.
Greetings in Christ Jesus Immo51, Luke 18:8 is a powerful verse. It’s one that’s come before me over and over through the years. Our faith is a serious one. Even if we have hobbies and interests outside of Christ. From time to time we need to lay these things down. Sometimes we lay them down forever because we are called to put Christ first aren’t we? Keep on the narrow path!
Prophetic message, brother … in the Spirit of Christ. Blessed by its timeliness. Peace, brother