The first reaction to a crisis is to prehaps complain about, or look to our own devices. Salvation is treated much the same way by many faiths, the attitude is I can put my works on a scale and see that I pleased God. Another attitude for salvation is I can buy my way into heaven. Another attitude can I do anything to get through them pearly gates called heaven? We look hard enough we discover how many times our actions and attitudes alone will not out weigh our good deeds. The other day I was in pain, wrenched my back, no clue what I did, but muscles were spasming on one side and I could hardly move. First response was grab pain meds, second response after four days call the doctor and then more pain meds, when i failed to make appointment. Dont' worry over the counter. Fourth response in the morning when i could not get through to the doctor was say Lord, I give up, I placing in your hands and I trusting not in my understanding of what I feel, but in you and in Jesus name please remove this pain because i got work for you to do. That very hour the pain was gone and no more spasms. Now I know those with chronic pain this morning you wish that happen to you. I will tell you trust not in what you understand about your situation but leave it in the Lords hands. That does not mean you don't see a doctor, it means that you rest in what you can not understand about the present situation you are in. We often look for solution by our own understanding, our own means of solving the problem. Our own knowledge of what has worked before or hopefully will work again. People with money look at money the same way, they look at what their wealth can buy and rely on their own understanding of strength to solve every problem.

The rich man came to Jesus and said what must I do to be saved. I obeyed all the commandments since my youth, what can i do to guarantee my heavenly inheritance. Yesterday we seen Hagar son had the hope of faith through circumcision, but as a boy did he understand it as his own. He was still learning, but when his mother brought him to that well he knew more about faith then he ever knew before. Process of faith often begins with understanding we are need of God's solution for our problem. I do not think in general pass salvation do we recognize that God is the solution for all our problems. We get saved and most thing outside of faith, we struggle and wrestle outside of our faith. Our first reaction is outside of our faith. Now you see strong people of faith, often bow to their knees without question, but not always. I look at scripture and I see many people looking at first what they preceive and then obeying God. Moses is a prime example of not convince that he can do anything, even though God showing his power to perform the miracles through Moses hand. I think of Gideon that questions God and puts a test of faith to confirm that God is speaking to him. I see disciples learn to trust in Jesus as they traveled with him and obeyed him, from even going to see if the donkey was tied and ready to fetch for the Triumphal entry. Then Peter at the tomb wondering about could Christ be risen with seeing the empty tomb. He was man of faith but this was more then human comprehension at the moment.

It okay not to first trust, but it when we remain in untrust, we are failing to believe God. It okay to ask for evidence of what will be, it okay to ask for help with faith. It okay not to surrender all at the very first call, why, because of human nature to fail. Stop beating yourself every time you fail, get back up after time on those knees and say Lord, i going to trust you not in my understanding but your understanding of how things are. Say Lord help me to have faith.

This rich man thought his works and obedience to God was enough for salvation. Yet Jesus tells him to give it all up and follow him. He only see his need of what he has earned with his own hands and walks away sadly. Disciples says Lord we given it all up to follow you. And Jesus said those that give it all up with persecution will be rewarded in heaven. What more can we say, for those that suffer for the sake of faith and trusting in God of what lays ahead for us in heaven.

These words to the world makes little sense. Why suffer for faith and trusting God. Job suffer, but what did he gain at the end of the story, his own knowledge of his sin of relying on his own understanding about God and thinking he had a right to quetion God's authority in the matter, yet he would be blessed for repentance and understanding God's knowledge was to great for him. With Job suffering came repentance of three friends and sacrifice he could not afford.

Can we understand that with sacrifice God will bless, can we understand that if we give what God speaks to our hearts to give we will be rewarded. Can we trust that our pain for a time is for a purpose. I suffered 14 years before healing. I realize God had a purpose in the healing. I realize God's will is for me to type and perhaps speak occasionally. Yet what do I understand it is for the Gospel sake I speak, for the message of Christ love to be spread around the world to those that will read it.

Let me explain the rich man that relies on God and has because God has blessed him that way, he to can sacrifice things for the sake of the world at times, but he as to realize his sacrifice to the poor is not understood, because money to pay basic bills for a poor person is a blessing, The rich man sees survival bills and say I can eat out thirty days of the month and not worry about it, go to the beach, walk throught he park, see a broadway play, and stand on the empire states building and say the world is my oyster. Yet the poor man looks at the beauty of God's creation from the top of the mountain, knowing he must go down to the valley, the poor man knows that his daily meal is going to be fixed by his own hands or his/her families hands, he might not see a broadway play, but he see his children laughing and acting goofy, with dreams of brighter tomorrow. He sees his family with love in their heart for one another. Both the rich man and poor man must learn to trust in God and not in their own understanding to receive salvation. For salvation is not gained by our actions but by our faith in Christ Jesus, the Son of God. No other foundation can we build upon to be saved but faith in Christ. What is the Gospel but the word of God, and who is Jesus but the promised word of God in the flesh. (John 1:1-14). We build our faith on our own merit, our own understanding, on the understanding we asking ten friends for a dollar, we get at least one dollar, but that not trusting God either. We need to trust in God for provision, it might come through friends, but that same God that speaks to our hearts about salvation, also speaks to others about our needs. God also speaks to others about salvation and to us about things we can do for others.

What left of what we build our life on if we are tried by fire, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, love, hope, long suffering, gentleness and etc.... What built on Christ Jesus will stand, but what is built by human hands will only last in this life time of this world or ours, or maybe next generation. Great Wall of China has lasted for thousands and thousands of years, but can the wall of China save you. Only if your not on the side the wind blows sending Corona over the wall. Sorry China, that was to easy not to resist. I forgive China, but please make your exports worthy of humans of all nations not just your own. Dear Lord help us to strive for peace and safety in all countries not just our own, but help us also to use common sense.

Dear Heavenly Father help us to trust in your understanding and your power of all things upon this earth and in heaven. Knowing we are just one little speck in our heavenly Father's eyes. Knowing he love us still. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: 1 Corinthians 3:10-14 KJV
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.