GUIDELINES FOR LIVING.
April 14th, 2026
How Can I Inherit Eternal Life?
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22
Anyone who has ever visited ancient Jericho can testify to the fact that in the summer it can be unbearably hot. Locals are convinced that hell itself is only ten degrees hotter than Jericho. There is an old aphorism that in China only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun. That surely applies to Jericho as well—which is why a drama that unfolded as Jesus approached the city on His way to Jerusalem is so remarkable.
So vivid was this happening in the life of Jesus that three of Jesus’s biographers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke: they all wrote about it. Now, the story itself is simple enough. A young man, having heard that Jesus was passing by, came running and knelt before Him, voicing a question that was perplexing to him.
There is an element of urgency in the encounter. The man made no appointment. Neither did he bother to consider whether the interview was convenient. He simply knew this was his opportunity to get something off his chest; he took advantage of the moment.
There is also an element of drama in the situation. All three of the writers of the Gospel point out that this man was very wealthy, and people with lots of money don’t run in the sun. They snap their fingers and give orders and other people do the running for them. Furthermore, there is an element of desperation as well. Now, people with money are used to other people deferring to them, but humiliating himself before Jesus, he knelt in the dusty road. Looking up into Jesus’s face, he asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Now, in the event you’ve never read the Gospels (meaning Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you need to know that each one represents a different viewpoint. Mark is called the Gospel of Action. Reflecting a Roman viewpoint, he goes right to the heart of things. He never wastes words. Mark points out something that his colleagues Matthew and Luke omit. At this point, Mark says, “Jesus, beholding him, loved him!” (Mark 10:21). Now, there are two Greek words which could have been used for “to see” or “behold”. The first means to casually observe someone, but the other word—and the one that Mark used—means to gaze intently at someone. So, Jesus looked intently into the face of this troubled young man who knelt before Him; He loved him, knowing full well that the great wealth he had would be a stumbling block.
“You still lack one thing,” said Jesus, adding, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).
So, he immediately got rid of his money, forsook his easy lifestyle and became a disciple, right? Dead wrong. The record says he walked away very sorrowful because he was very rich.
So, what’s the issue? It’s simple. Who or what comes first? Your money, your position, or your God? Earlier, Jesus had said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
Andrew, my grandson, aged seven, shocked his mother, saying, “Mother, I’m afraid I’m going to go to hell!” “Why?” asked Bonnie, somewhat perturbed. “Because I’m afraid I love my little blue bucket and shovel—a birthday gift—more than God!”
Whether it’s your pride, your wealth, or your little blue bucket that stands between you and doing the will of God, Jesus wants to come first. “Come …, follow me,” is still the invitation He makes to those who ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” It is still true.
Resource reading: Luke 18:18-30
The post How Can I Inherit Eternal Life? appeared first on Guidelines International.
Listen on the Website »
April 14, 2026
Commit to 5 Minutes a Day with God
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved … who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
OK, you’ve decided to take five minutes a day and spend with God. You’ve made the decision to try it. What can you expect? For one thing, you’ll discover that Murphy’s law, “Anything that can happen, will happen,” has your name on it. You will oversleep. You will discover that your socks don’t match. You will have extra work that keeps you up late, so late that as soon as you close your eyes, you are instantly asleep. You will set the alarm early, and an alarm that has never failed before, will not go off! You will settle down with an open Bible or a notebook and begin to ponder your relationship with God, and the phone will ring, or you will immediately think of things that need your attention right now, so you push aside the Bible and skip your quiet time with God.
How do I know? I’ve tried it at least a hundred times, but I’ve started at least 101 times. In other words, I haven’t quit. Interested in five simple guidelines that can help you develop a quiet time or a time of spiritual meditation and study? They are:
Guideline #1: Make the commitment to take at least five minutes a day and spend with the Lord. I’m sure I don’t have to sell you on the importance of the idea. The vast majority of people believe that being in the presence of God is important, but not important enough to make the commitment to include time in His presence in their daily schedule. Remember, the longest journey in the world begins with the first step, and your commitment to enrich your life by taking five minutes a day is the beginning that can change your life.
Guideline #2: Be definite, but flexible, in your plan to schedule five minutes a day. When’s the best time for this? Anytime, right? Dead wrong! Anytime is some other time, and some other time never gets scheduled. So, look at your schedule, or daybook. Determine when you can take five minutes a day and make it a habit. For some, the first thing in the morning is the best time, but for you night people, five minutes at the end of your day is a lot more productive.
Guideline #3: Have a plan. Three ingredients should fit into that plan. First, Scripture, or God’s Word, the Bible. Here you find the strength of the ages; through these pages, God speaks to us. Then, you need some moments of reflection or meditation as you ask yourself, “How does what I’ve read apply to my life, to what I’m facing right now?” Then you need a few minutes to talk to God in prayer. Here you connect with Him by sharing your heart.
Guideline #4: Stay focused. It is so easy to let your mind wander. You read a chapter, close the Bible, and you can’t remember a word or a thought that you’ve read. Do you know why? All of the time, your mind was going over your schedule for the day. You were thinking about your broken-down car, or the problems confronting you. How do you stay focused? Possibly by reading out loud. Perhaps by journaling, or writing down your thoughts, by making the conscious decision to put your mind where your body is, and worship God.
Guideline #5: Discipline yourself, and, if necessary, cut something else out of your overburdened schedule. When it’s all said and done (and usually more is said than done), we have time for what we really want to do. Nobody can honestly say (myself included), “I don’t have at least five minutes a day to nurture my soul and refresh my mind.” But you don’t just find time, you must take it.
What are the rewards? An amazing sense of clarity in your thinking. You begin to see life from a different perspective. You slow down enough to realize you are in the presence of the Almighty. You realize your problems are not so big after all. Five minutes can change your life.
Resource reading: James 4:7-10
April 14th, 2026
How Can I Inherit Eternal Life?
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22
Anyone who has ever visited ancient Jericho can testify to the fact that in the summer it can be unbearably hot. Locals are convinced that hell itself is only ten degrees hotter than Jericho. There is an old aphorism that in China only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun. That surely applies to Jericho as well—which is why a drama that unfolded as Jesus approached the city on His way to Jerusalem is so remarkable.
So vivid was this happening in the life of Jesus that three of Jesus’s biographers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke: they all wrote about it. Now, the story itself is simple enough. A young man, having heard that Jesus was passing by, came running and knelt before Him, voicing a question that was perplexing to him.
There is an element of urgency in the encounter. The man made no appointment. Neither did he bother to consider whether the interview was convenient. He simply knew this was his opportunity to get something off his chest; he took advantage of the moment.
There is also an element of drama in the situation. All three of the writers of the Gospel point out that this man was very wealthy, and people with lots of money don’t run in the sun. They snap their fingers and give orders and other people do the running for them. Furthermore, there is an element of desperation as well. Now, people with money are used to other people deferring to them, but humiliating himself before Jesus, he knelt in the dusty road. Looking up into Jesus’s face, he asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Now, in the event you’ve never read the Gospels (meaning Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you need to know that each one represents a different viewpoint. Mark is called the Gospel of Action. Reflecting a Roman viewpoint, he goes right to the heart of things. He never wastes words. Mark points out something that his colleagues Matthew and Luke omit. At this point, Mark says, “Jesus, beholding him, loved him!” (Mark 10:21). Now, there are two Greek words which could have been used for “to see” or “behold”. The first means to casually observe someone, but the other word—and the one that Mark used—means to gaze intently at someone. So, Jesus looked intently into the face of this troubled young man who knelt before Him; He loved him, knowing full well that the great wealth he had would be a stumbling block.
“You still lack one thing,” said Jesus, adding, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).
So, he immediately got rid of his money, forsook his easy lifestyle and became a disciple, right? Dead wrong. The record says he walked away very sorrowful because he was very rich.
So, what’s the issue? It’s simple. Who or what comes first? Your money, your position, or your God? Earlier, Jesus had said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
Andrew, my grandson, aged seven, shocked his mother, saying, “Mother, I’m afraid I’m going to go to hell!” “Why?” asked Bonnie, somewhat perturbed. “Because I’m afraid I love my little blue bucket and shovel—a birthday gift—more than God!”
Whether it’s your pride, your wealth, or your little blue bucket that stands between you and doing the will of God, Jesus wants to come first. “Come …, follow me,” is still the invitation He makes to those who ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” It is still true.
Resource reading: Luke 18:18-30
The post How Can I Inherit Eternal Life? appeared first on Guidelines International.
Listen on the Website »
April 14, 2026
Commit to 5 Minutes a Day with God
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved … who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
OK, you’ve decided to take five minutes a day and spend with God. You’ve made the decision to try it. What can you expect? For one thing, you’ll discover that Murphy’s law, “Anything that can happen, will happen,” has your name on it. You will oversleep. You will discover that your socks don’t match. You will have extra work that keeps you up late, so late that as soon as you close your eyes, you are instantly asleep. You will set the alarm early, and an alarm that has never failed before, will not go off! You will settle down with an open Bible or a notebook and begin to ponder your relationship with God, and the phone will ring, or you will immediately think of things that need your attention right now, so you push aside the Bible and skip your quiet time with God.
How do I know? I’ve tried it at least a hundred times, but I’ve started at least 101 times. In other words, I haven’t quit. Interested in five simple guidelines that can help you develop a quiet time or a time of spiritual meditation and study? They are:
Guideline #1: Make the commitment to take at least five minutes a day and spend with the Lord. I’m sure I don’t have to sell you on the importance of the idea. The vast majority of people believe that being in the presence of God is important, but not important enough to make the commitment to include time in His presence in their daily schedule. Remember, the longest journey in the world begins with the first step, and your commitment to enrich your life by taking five minutes a day is the beginning that can change your life.
Guideline #2: Be definite, but flexible, in your plan to schedule five minutes a day. When’s the best time for this? Anytime, right? Dead wrong! Anytime is some other time, and some other time never gets scheduled. So, look at your schedule, or daybook. Determine when you can take five minutes a day and make it a habit. For some, the first thing in the morning is the best time, but for you night people, five minutes at the end of your day is a lot more productive.
Guideline #3: Have a plan. Three ingredients should fit into that plan. First, Scripture, or God’s Word, the Bible. Here you find the strength of the ages; through these pages, God speaks to us. Then, you need some moments of reflection or meditation as you ask yourself, “How does what I’ve read apply to my life, to what I’m facing right now?” Then you need a few minutes to talk to God in prayer. Here you connect with Him by sharing your heart.
Guideline #4: Stay focused. It is so easy to let your mind wander. You read a chapter, close the Bible, and you can’t remember a word or a thought that you’ve read. Do you know why? All of the time, your mind was going over your schedule for the day. You were thinking about your broken-down car, or the problems confronting you. How do you stay focused? Possibly by reading out loud. Perhaps by journaling, or writing down your thoughts, by making the conscious decision to put your mind where your body is, and worship God.
Guideline #5: Discipline yourself, and, if necessary, cut something else out of your overburdened schedule. When it’s all said and done (and usually more is said than done), we have time for what we really want to do. Nobody can honestly say (myself included), “I don’t have at least five minutes a day to nurture my soul and refresh my mind.” But you don’t just find time, you must take it.
What are the rewards? An amazing sense of clarity in your thinking. You begin to see life from a different perspective. You slow down enough to realize you are in the presence of the Almighty. You realize your problems are not so big after all. Five minutes can change your life.
Resource reading: James 4:7-10
GUIDELINES FOR LIVING.
April 14th, 2026
How Can I Inherit Eternal Life?
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22
Anyone who has ever visited ancient Jericho can testify to the fact that in the summer it can be unbearably hot. Locals are convinced that hell itself is only ten degrees hotter than Jericho. There is an old aphorism that in China only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun. That surely applies to Jericho as well—which is why a drama that unfolded as Jesus approached the city on His way to Jerusalem is so remarkable.
So vivid was this happening in the life of Jesus that three of Jesus’s biographers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke: they all wrote about it. Now, the story itself is simple enough. A young man, having heard that Jesus was passing by, came running and knelt before Him, voicing a question that was perplexing to him.
There is an element of urgency in the encounter. The man made no appointment. Neither did he bother to consider whether the interview was convenient. He simply knew this was his opportunity to get something off his chest; he took advantage of the moment.
There is also an element of drama in the situation. All three of the writers of the Gospel point out that this man was very wealthy, and people with lots of money don’t run in the sun. They snap their fingers and give orders and other people do the running for them. Furthermore, there is an element of desperation as well. Now, people with money are used to other people deferring to them, but humiliating himself before Jesus, he knelt in the dusty road. Looking up into Jesus’s face, he asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Now, in the event you’ve never read the Gospels (meaning Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you need to know that each one represents a different viewpoint. Mark is called the Gospel of Action. Reflecting a Roman viewpoint, he goes right to the heart of things. He never wastes words. Mark points out something that his colleagues Matthew and Luke omit. At this point, Mark says, “Jesus, beholding him, loved him!” (Mark 10:21). Now, there are two Greek words which could have been used for “to see” or “behold”. The first means to casually observe someone, but the other word—and the one that Mark used—means to gaze intently at someone. So, Jesus looked intently into the face of this troubled young man who knelt before Him; He loved him, knowing full well that the great wealth he had would be a stumbling block.
“You still lack one thing,” said Jesus, adding, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).
So, he immediately got rid of his money, forsook his easy lifestyle and became a disciple, right? Dead wrong. The record says he walked away very sorrowful because he was very rich.
So, what’s the issue? It’s simple. Who or what comes first? Your money, your position, or your God? Earlier, Jesus had said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
Andrew, my grandson, aged seven, shocked his mother, saying, “Mother, I’m afraid I’m going to go to hell!” “Why?” asked Bonnie, somewhat perturbed. “Because I’m afraid I love my little blue bucket and shovel—a birthday gift—more than God!”
Whether it’s your pride, your wealth, or your little blue bucket that stands between you and doing the will of God, Jesus wants to come first. “Come …, follow me,” is still the invitation He makes to those who ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” It is still true.
Resource reading: Luke 18:18-30
The post How Can I Inherit Eternal Life? appeared first on Guidelines International.
Listen on the Website »
April 14, 2026
Commit to 5 Minutes a Day with God
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved … who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
OK, you’ve decided to take five minutes a day and spend with God. You’ve made the decision to try it. What can you expect? For one thing, you’ll discover that Murphy’s law, “Anything that can happen, will happen,” has your name on it. You will oversleep. You will discover that your socks don’t match. You will have extra work that keeps you up late, so late that as soon as you close your eyes, you are instantly asleep. You will set the alarm early, and an alarm that has never failed before, will not go off! You will settle down with an open Bible or a notebook and begin to ponder your relationship with God, and the phone will ring, or you will immediately think of things that need your attention right now, so you push aside the Bible and skip your quiet time with God.
How do I know? I’ve tried it at least a hundred times, but I’ve started at least 101 times. In other words, I haven’t quit. Interested in five simple guidelines that can help you develop a quiet time or a time of spiritual meditation and study? They are:
Guideline #1: Make the commitment to take at least five minutes a day and spend with the Lord. I’m sure I don’t have to sell you on the importance of the idea. The vast majority of people believe that being in the presence of God is important, but not important enough to make the commitment to include time in His presence in their daily schedule. Remember, the longest journey in the world begins with the first step, and your commitment to enrich your life by taking five minutes a day is the beginning that can change your life.
Guideline #2: Be definite, but flexible, in your plan to schedule five minutes a day. When’s the best time for this? Anytime, right? Dead wrong! Anytime is some other time, and some other time never gets scheduled. So, look at your schedule, or daybook. Determine when you can take five minutes a day and make it a habit. For some, the first thing in the morning is the best time, but for you night people, five minutes at the end of your day is a lot more productive.
Guideline #3: Have a plan. Three ingredients should fit into that plan. First, Scripture, or God’s Word, the Bible. Here you find the strength of the ages; through these pages, God speaks to us. Then, you need some moments of reflection or meditation as you ask yourself, “How does what I’ve read apply to my life, to what I’m facing right now?” Then you need a few minutes to talk to God in prayer. Here you connect with Him by sharing your heart.
Guideline #4: Stay focused. It is so easy to let your mind wander. You read a chapter, close the Bible, and you can’t remember a word or a thought that you’ve read. Do you know why? All of the time, your mind was going over your schedule for the day. You were thinking about your broken-down car, or the problems confronting you. How do you stay focused? Possibly by reading out loud. Perhaps by journaling, or writing down your thoughts, by making the conscious decision to put your mind where your body is, and worship God.
Guideline #5: Discipline yourself, and, if necessary, cut something else out of your overburdened schedule. When it’s all said and done (and usually more is said than done), we have time for what we really want to do. Nobody can honestly say (myself included), “I don’t have at least five minutes a day to nurture my soul and refresh my mind.” But you don’t just find time, you must take it.
What are the rewards? An amazing sense of clarity in your thinking. You begin to see life from a different perspective. You slow down enough to realize you are in the presence of the Almighty. You realize your problems are not so big after all. Five minutes can change your life.
Resource reading: James 4:7-10
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