“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Mark 10

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” v29-31

This passage is repeated in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  

In a message to seminary graduates, John Piper delivered this sermon.  As these graduates prepared to enter the work world and a life of independence (likely from their parents), Piper was imploring them to treasure Jesus vs the world and to live a "wartime lifestyle" (as does many others such as David Platt).

He warns also to avoid the fate of the rich young man who have a love of money vs Jesus.  Piper gives us two examples of those whose fate followed different paths.

Gehazi and the love of money
Mephibosheth and the love of God

Jesus, please help me live a "wartime lifestyle" and to treasure You above all else.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are as You have blessed me beyond what I deserve - yet there have been times in my life and there will continue to be times in my life when I put something or someone else, including money, above You - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! v22-23.

John Piper's posts help illuminate the importance and influence our "eyes" have on our faith.
What Is the "Bad Eye" in Matthew 6:23?
The Eye is the Lamp of the Body
What Do You Feed Your Eyes

Piper helps us understand Jesus' distinction between the "good" and "bad" eye, with a reference to Matthew 20:15 where a Greek translation of the The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard gives us an example of the "bad" eye when one of the workers hired first claimed unfairness in the wages paid to those who showed up to work later in the day - the first workers focused on material wealth and what they felt they deserved vs on grace (something Jesus provides which we don't deserve).  Piper's team also help us understand that what we "feed" our eyes does matter - using Deuteronomy 4:15-19 as an example.  What we put in front of our eyes influences and directs our heart which has been a subject of recent posts.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, my church, brothers and sisters in Christ and so much more so that my heart could see more of You.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of Your grace and the many gifts You provide.  I often focus my eyes elsewhere. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.