There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. Luke 16:19
Pat's nuggets: Today's verse reminded me of Matt 19:24 when Jesus said, "...I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell 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." In verse 26, Jesus said, "...but with God all things are possible." Wikipedia listed two common interpretations.
* "A rich man would not ordinarily be able to enter the kingdom of heaven (and the disciples interpreted this to mean that no one can be saved, since wealth was considered a sign of God's favor); but God can achieve what would be impossible without his help. Jesus spoke in response to the rich man's unwillingness to give up his worldly possessions; through the grace of God, he might be able to give up his attachment to them."
* "Jesus was referring to a certain gate in Jerusalem called Needle's Eye. This entry-point was built like the eye of a needle and so low that a camel could pass only if it entered kneeling and unencumbered with baggage. The lesson would then be that an eternal inheritance awaits those who unburden themselves of sin, and in particular, the things of this world. Also, kneeling represents submission and humility, which are required by most religions to enter into heaven. Although there is no historical evidence that such a gate ever existed."
LIFE Group sharing:
* One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked the grandfather: "which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." shared by Kay Castle
* "I recently learned that a group of Dominican Sisters ran a hospital in Mosul, Iraq that treated everyone...soldiers, Sunnis, Shiites. The hospital and their convent was bombed. Two of the Sisters hide with area families as they continue their ministry to serve this community. This is to remind us [to take part in] Lenten sacrifices." by Kay Castle
* Pres Reagan Quote (1983): "The real question today is not when human life begins, but, 'What is the value of human life?' The abortionist who reassembles the arms and legs of a tiny baby to make sure all its parts have been torn from its mother's body can hardly doubt whether it is a human being." shared by Rich Reich
Through Christ Our Lord,
Pat
Phil 4:13
* 40 DAYS FOR LIFE: Learn about efforts in your area (through 16 Mar) and sign up for the daily updates email at http://www.40daysforlife.com/. "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you" Jeremiah 1:5. "...you knit me together in my mother's womb" Psalm 139:13.
* Daily Bible readings: View at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml* LIFE Devotions blog: View at life-devotions.blogspot.com. Sign up to comment at LIFE Devotions. Please fill in your profile. If inspired, add a comment and fwd it to the distro at life-group-distro@googlegroups.com.
* LIFE Prayers blog: View at life-prayers.blogspot.com. Sign up to comment at LIFE Prayers. Prayer connects us with God's will and miracles, thereby changing us and helping others (so let's pray daily!). Please "post" prayer requests (update with a "comment" then send update to distro email).
* Sr. Francelle Devotions: View at sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com. Let me know if you would like to be on the distro to receive her inspiring & challenging faith-application devotions (sent weekly).
* Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!
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