Sunday, March 22, 2009

I'd Rather Have Jesus Than...

I'd Rather Have Jesus Than...
Feb 2, 2009
Mark 8:36 "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"

I'd rather have Jesus than . . . $1million dollars

That's right. I'd rather have Jesus than $1million dollars. There is an old hymn with some very powerful words; many of you can sing it. Just a few of the different lines clarify the song writers' intent: "I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold . . . I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land . . . I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause . . ." The words of this song really won't make much sense to you unless you truly have nothing but Jesus. When you have nothing in this world, you begin to look around and see how comfortable your life could be if you only had a few more things. Undoubtedly, there is something that could change your life in an instant. Everyone can think of an amount of money that would change their life. Everyone can imagine how the right spouse or the right job would complete their existence on this earth. Or maybe the words of this old hymn might make more sense to you if you had that one "thing" and it was taken away from you.

The worldly person pursues these things; the worldly person longs after the windfall of money that would change their life. This dreaming for some "thing" will only end up a disappointment, as all things are very, very temporary. Just as these things can be brought into your life, they can be taken away. Then, where would you be? You'd be right at the beginning again, wishing you could just have that one "thing" that could/would change your life. The Lord never intended for some "thing" to satisfy or change your life. He intended that a relationship with Him be all that you desire and all that you should need.

In fact, the Lord is clear that you should desire Him first and foremost. He knows what you need, and He even knows what you want. But He is not impressed when you pursue these things on your own. God wants you to pursue one thing only, a relationship with Him. The scriptures say very clearly that the Lord knows you need many "things" in life, but that you should seek Him first. If you do, then He will take care of all those "things" you think are missing. If you truly had a right relationship with God, He would give you all the things you need and nothing less. He is able, more able than you can imagine, to provide even for all your "wants." God is the giver of all things and if He gives it, no one can take it away.

If you didn't have Jesus, no amount of worldly gain would do you any good, because when you died, all your fame and fortune would not go with you into Hell. Then what would you have? But no one can take away your relationship with God, not even death, because in death, you would enter eternity in Heaven with Him. Then, only then, will you have EVERYTHING.

1. What one "thing" would it take to change your life forever?
2. Ask the Lord to help you put your relationship with Him above that "thing."
3. How can you make sure your desire is for more of Him and not anything else?

Add. Scriptures for Study: Psalm 37:4, Matt 6:33, Matt 16: 26, Luke 9:25, 1 John 4:4

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