'Truly I say to you there is not a man that has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or lands, for my sake and the gospels,"

"But he will receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life."

Mark 10: 29 & 30.

As far as I am concerned Jesus could have left the persecution part out when he made those statements. But he understands how it works.

It's easier to let go of something when we know it will be replaced with something better.

I have been in need of a new wardrobe. It seems like every time I'm getting dressed the Holy Spirit is nudging me to give those clothes away.

Then my mind realizes that to bring in the new the old has to go. That's why Jesus said; "You can't put new wine in old wineskins."

These sayings have been so hard and difficult for Christians to understand yet I believe revelation is coming in greater measure.

Our Lord is making a great distinction here between the old and the new, his kingdom and way versus the kingdom of the world and its way.

We have been called to live new lives "in Christ" pure, spotless and holy. We have been called to come out of the world and into His glorious Life.

This really does mean radical change. The way we think, act, speak, dress, and exist requires a radical conversion.

It's like Paul on the road to Damascus. One minute he was killing the Christians and the next he was one of them. Now they were trying to kill him.

This is far beyond Brett Farver leaving Green Bay for another team. He's in the minor league compared to leaving the world for Jesus. Think about it.

You cannot play on both teams and think you can get away with it having one foot in each territory. No Sir, it won't work.

That guy still looks like a Green Bay Packer and he is going to have to change uniforms if he wants to play on a different team.

You are going to have to change uniforms if you want to play on Jesus' team and I can assure you persecution will come. But the rewards are worth it.

You see this is why the church doesn't look like Jesus. They still look like the world. Can you tell the difference between the believer and unbeliever?

In the same chapter of Mark, Jesus states, "Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches (of the world) to enter into 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."

Get it? There is one who thinks he is rich yet he is poor. Change your uniform. Let it go. You're on the wrong team.

All who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. He will in no wise cast you out. Let Him give you new clothes to wear. He has the winning team. I promise.

Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

Need more help with that? Contact us at Rivers of Living Water Christian Center, 117 S. Washington St, Lake City, MN 55041 or 651-345-5111 or www.ileneblancheministries.org

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