You have not because ya...

 ..ask not.  So ask some. 

Need prayer? Scan my texting code below to say what's on your mind.

Ask with the right motives and guess what.. you will receive. Inquire of the Lord today. 

"I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4-17  knowGod.org

Message to self: Yo Kurt, prioritize. Come apart.. before you come apart. Go get alone to be still with Jesus.

Yes, to diligently seek God, to ask of Him regarding His specific will for you today.. to hear from His Word, to quickly respond to His directives or warnings for you.

Man, God is good, He loves you, still has a good plan, and He can still communicate with you.

Q: Do you still look to Him to meet all or just some of your needs? Remember, Christians who look half to the world or elsewhere to see their needs met sadly don't stay on-fire for Jesus Christ. They don't advance.. walking close forwards, they go backward instead. Who really wants to do that? Not me. Even if you think you have great education with common sense. Please inquire of Him. Go back to Him for the specifics of carrying out His will His way.. with His tone and timing. 

No time for distractions. Look to Jesus. 

"So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord." Joshua 9:14

"Therefore they inquired further of the Lord, 'Has the man come here yet?' So the Lord said, 'Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.'” 1 Samuel 10:22

"David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees." 1 Chronicles 14:14

"Then it came about afterwards that David inquired of the Lord, saying, 'Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?' And the Lord said to him, 'Go up.' So David said, 'Where shall I go up?' And He said, 'To Hebron.'” 2 Samuel 2:1

"Now the sons of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God and said, 'Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?' Then the Lord said, 'Judah shall go up first.'" Judges 20:18

"The sons of Israel inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days," Judges 20:27

"For the shepherds have become stupid and have not sought the Lord; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered." Jeremiah 10:21

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you." John 16:13-15

"Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full." ~ Jesus, in John 16:23-24

A fisher is to go fishing, not go changing fish to be better swimmers before they are caught. ~ kvs 

What are life’s biggest questions, and how does the Bible answer them? May I ask.. what do you feel at this time are the most important questions in your own life?

What are the "most famous questions" in the Bible?

Do Christians need to keep asking for forgiveness for their sins?

What does the psalmist mean in Psalm 27:4 when he says, “One thing I have asked of the Lord”?

A fisher is to go love fishing, learning by doing, not go changing fish to be better swimmers before they are caught. A real fisher is to love God more than all else he or she loves.

When you’re both first and last, runner, you're basically finishing your race in a dead heat. It's for the same generous reward as all the others will get.

"But many who are first will be last, and the last first." ~ Jesus

Sup with that? 

Q: Ever felt like you've been treated unfairly? Ever felt like you were mistreated like from someone over you who seemed to become more generous with another person? Or perhaps you really have been mistreated, with bias.. unequally? Man, have I got a parable for you (this is the theme of Matthew 20), but first... 

Remember back in the day, how there was this faithful prophet named Ezekiel who would remind beloved Israel of their sins.. for example, the wrongdoin's that caused them to experience 70 years of exile and captivity in Babylon far away from home. 

He reminded them so that they would repent, learn, believe, and have a proper view of their God. Two times in chapter 18 versus 25 and 29 Ezekiel told Israel that God was fair and that they as people were not. 

“Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When the righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth therein; in his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?" asv / kjv

The Bible teaches that God is no respecter of persons meaning He doesn't play favorites with bias, (except for this fact: if you're God's child, we're all equally His favorites because of simple faith in His Son). 

"God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction. He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step." psalm 25:8 msg

"The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court, that here God is Judge." Psalm 50:6 msg

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And WHOSOEVER WILL, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelations 22:17 #emph.mine #ComeNow! #HesFairToAll

I love that old hymn: "Whosoever will may come. Whosoever will, whosoever will; Send the proclamation over vale and hill; 'Tis a loving Father calls t1he wand'rer home: Whosoever will may come."

True fairness is everyone gettin' exactly what they deserve, and that's why I praise God for the Cross. You and I don't want Hell! The Cross put all of us believers (saved-sinners) on the blessing side of God's perfect justice and fairness so He can in all fairness give more grace. 

"For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Romans 9:15 kjv

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree..'” Galatians 3:13

"By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14 esv

You know the world-system is not fair, but God is.

The circumstances of life here are not fair or just, but God is. 

Companies and many work situations aren't fair, but God is. 

Governments, their senators, their congressmen, their agencies, their most influencial politicians (on both sides), and the elections of many Banana Republic Countries are often not fair, but God is. He remains fair as always! 

It's sadly true that not all presidents, courts, judges, lawyers, or earthly dictators are fair, but God unflichingly always has been. (..but we here in the USA wouldn't know about all that though would we?). God's precious promises and good character never alter even an inch!

Think on this.. even in some churches, and denominations, the leaders are sometimes not fair, but our Heavenly Father IS indeed. He stays steady -- His holy righteous nature ain't periodic. It never changes in any way.

Even in schools, in universities and in homes the leaders are sometimes not fair, but God is. 

I too have not always been fair every single time as a dad with my three sons (sure tried to be)..and then found out some facts later on. It didn't rep Him well. Had to repent. Yet from toddlerhood on upward, every one of us have an innate yearning inside for fairness, complete equity and flawless justice (we long for a real location called Heaven instead of that other real location). When my little sister Kathy (a mother of 2 tiny boys) was murdered by a stalker in Corpus Christi some years back, I wanted ..and still want justice. It's how we're all made. God cares and He saw. This is the theme! 

Please think Bema Seat and Great White Throne. "A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” Galatians 6:7–9

Back in the day in Southern California, on a track team I used to run in some races. It was during my Dunsmore Elementary and Dana Hills High School days and less so later on, but like a whole lot of us guys, I too ran in some races to win a prize. Did some long jumps and a little pole vaulting as well. 

Yes, I remember running in some short events; the 50-yard dash, a 70-yard sprint, and I was on the relay team as well. Ever run the anchor leg in one of those? 

My mom bought my two brothers and me some lame plastic shoes, but we all just loved to run. (Having three boys and a little cheerleader daughter all involved in these contests was not so cheap).   

Later on my older brother Kevin did some distance running and he got me into that some. With the right shoes, it wasn't bad at all. I even ran some 10K in places, but he was more competitive than I who simply enjoyed time out in nature. 

I even remember foolishly running on the wet and dry sand at T-Street Beach down to Cottons Point and back in San Clemente. You lose ground in the dry sand--it's a whole lot of work. But me and my two brothers from a very young age used to race at times. 

Part of that was because my dad was a passionate football coach which meant that he was zealous to get us three into shape (via beach races, or anywhere races..) in order to get ready for football competition later on. 

So, I used to run races--we all used to do that. Not bad at all, running your race to win. Perhaps earlier you also ran in races? 

"But many who are first in this world will be last in the world to come; and the last, first." Matthew 19:30 amp

If you did run, just go back to the memory of your athletic days and then prayerfully look at Matthew 20. It'll help you see what is meant by Christ's last first and first last proverb (maxim, truism) that clearly illustrates His following parable. 

It's one thing to be last in a race ..only last.. or to be first in a race and stay that way, but if you are first and last, or last and first.. if you are running first and last to the finish line you all end in a dead heat. That's marvelous! 

Again, to be clear. Listen, a child could see this at the finish-tape. If you’re running last all the way; then you’re indeed last in that race. But if y'all are last and first, and if you’re first and last, guess what. That means you all end the same. Same reward! 

Man, if you were the cameraman their with your son or daughter at the end next to the line where all the runners would stick out their noses and chests to break the tape to win.. you'd both see and record it.  

Can't emphasize this enough. The only way to be first and last at the same time is to reach the finish line altogether with all noses, left or right feet, or chests on the line.. for same blue ribbon or trophy/reward. Very simple, and remember this, believer, no other reward comes close to comparing with finishing your race having your torch still lit, where you see Christ face to face! All believers will there be equally blessed (Pssst: I'm in competition with me, want to be better in Christ than I was yesterday)!

"What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." Romans 9:14-16 kjv

Tzora in the Judean hills of Israel

Yep, it means everybody finishes the race in a dead heat gaining the same ultimate reward. That's the theme -- the Proverb (maxim) and the Parable that marvelously illustrates it.. are fascinating. Let's now talk about this day-laborers in the vineyard parable.

Here's what I’ve been seein’ in 19:30–20:16 of Matthew #EmphInjectedMine #nkjv

- A Proverb (a truism, a maxim), then.. 

- A Principle, God is completely equal in His dealings with His people.

- A Parable that follows addressing this short maxim.

- A Point to be made for eternal perspective, prayer, and wise-application-purpose. God has always been generous towards willing people who come, then trust Him enough to obey and go harvest in His vineyard. Come and Go!

- A Precept. God expects us all to hear Him, trust and humbly serve, so whatcha waitin' for? Go ye therefore to the reaping bro. No excuses. The first two letters of gospel are GO! 

- A Poem of sorts (some band lyrics).

- A Proverb (it’s an indicative), yes the same one (that brackets in the preface and epilogue of this important parable that illustrates it).

"But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.
Mat 20:1 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.
3 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing.
4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day.
5 So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.
6 “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’
7 “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’
8 “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.
9 When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage.
10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.
11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,
12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?
14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.
15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’
16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” nlt

"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." Matt. 20:16 asv / kjv

“He that is jealous is not in love.” — Augustine

“Inferiority bound
And lost in despair
Harmony can’t be found
When I begin to compare ..so small! Envy and Jealousy are there when I fall
Envy and jealousy
Invading my mind
Envy and jealousy
They’re wasting my time
Envy and jealousy
They make me so small
Envy and jealousy.. are there when I fall..” ~ Brian Duncan / Sweet Comfort Band

"You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?" 1 Corinthians 3:3 

“Self-love is, no doubt, the usual foundation of human jealousy.. the fear lest another should by any means supplant us.” — Charles Spurgeon

Today envy, dissensions, jealousies, and evil speakings in God’s vineyard show that Christians have wandered far from their loving Haus-Vater, and it is time to return (to your first love), repent, rethink, repeat (the things you did at first Rev. 2:5) and pray earnestly for authentic revival!

The cure for error here is to first saturate yourself with Bible truth, to live it, and to tell the truth. The cure for the sin of jealousy is to find your full contentment and spiritual growth in the prsence of God's living Word.

Right before this, curious Peter wanted to know what would be given to those who sacrificed everything to follow Jesus. Yes, that lengthy parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16) was given in response to Peter’s blunt question in Matthew 19:27: “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

Like all the other believers, you'll get God's ultimate reward--eternal life. 

Christ’s clear illustration of that "last first" vineyard proverb in Matthew by using this simple parable addressed God’s merciful equality in the sphere of God’s rule (a.k.a. His Kingdom). All that God does is fair--it's his nature to be like that, but the corrupt world keeps misjudging His fairness according to their own idea of fairness.

The landowner / Der HausVater in this parable is our Heavenly Father who is passionate about the harvest–He wants us all righteously involved. 

The vineyard is the Kingdom, the sphere of God’s rule. Yes, der Estate owner is Jehovah who repeatedly returns to the most public spot, the marketplace to accept more willing vineyard workers due to His great compassion. Didn’t really need them as much as He had compassion for them. (God has never needed anything).

The laborers are spiritually reborn believers in the Kingdom, (I mean the righteous rather than self-righteous) who decided to respond and enter on God’s terms into the harvesting service of their God. All the reapers basically had the same need and it gets met. 

The day of work is time, their lifetime here.

The evening is eternity,

The wage is eternal life.

Obviously the Steward appears to be Christ who has been given the task of rewarding his own with life everlasting. It’s Jesus to whom has been committed all judgment.

The work is harvesting, reaping. God gives all of us far more than we deserve. Everyone finished with the same blessing. So, there ya have it, that’s the point of the parable that illustrates the proverb that brackets it!

Precept to never forget: A person can receive Christ, his forgiveness and enter life unending (the Father’s ultimate reward) even at the end of the road, in the 11th hour. 

Sure, everyone finished with the same here. All did, no matter how long or short, no matter how hard or easy the circumstances were.. in the end, we’ll see all laborers rewarded equally.

With what? With God's presence and eternal life, and eternal glory, and eternal Christ-likeness. Yes, all get the ultimate ceaseless reward.

No matter the duration or their quality of work here. No matter the length and diligence of their experience, or skill-set, or professional education or the place of their service.

Seeing the ultimate eternal benefit (Christ’s welcoming expression and hearing his embracing words). 

If you are a genuine Christian believer, you receive the full benefits of God’s amazing, immeasurable grace from his inexhaustable love, just like everyone else in God’s Kingdom will. Your place in God’s holy heaven is NOT like some timeshare, where your personal access is determined by the length of time you spent doing service in the Lord’s work. The blessings of redemption are NOT AT ALL doled out in quotas based on one’s personal blood, sweat, tears, drudgery, or good work achievements. Forgiveness is not measured by weighing or whim. I mean our good deeds against our personal sins.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8–9

Remember how the different crown-rewards based upon the unseen inner motives of faithful believers come later in the Epistles.

I personally don't want 100% fairness alone! Fairness is everyone getting exactly what they deserve. Frankly, we all are unworthy and deserve Hell. The Bema Seat and Great White Throne Judgement Seat will reveal the precise accuracy of God’s fairness and equity regarding His Law of Sowing and Reaping you can be sure! (Cross-talk: believers won't be punished there). Remember, the cross puts us believers on the blessing side of divine justice so God is totally fair when He gives mercy, grace and blessing to His people. (Blood-soaked cross-talk: Grace by its very definition is us saved-sinners getting what we don't deserve. He always keeps His promises and gives more than we deserve). 

Listen, nothing (no other reward even) compares with seeing Jesus face to face and hearing Him tell us to enter into His holy heaven! The secondary rewards won't compare to the ultimate Reward. 

I certainly won't slight those secondary, but I will try to build up in our minds His great salvation for how HUGELY-WONDERFUL it really is! Cuz He is!

"But Kurt, wait. Don't be messin' with my future crowns and those potentially added responsibilities coming to me? Shouldn't I remain motivated to gain some?" 

Sure, I want to inspire and motivate you more than you are in serving Christ. I pray you'll be rejoicing with em. We want more eternally rejoicing, and let's give Jesus all the credit. You can enjoy a crown which is life. There in heaven! You can enjoy a crown which is righteousness. Yes, and you can get a crown which is so incorruptible!

Hey, if we understand the 24 elders correctly, you’re just going to grab a hold of them and cast them at the feet of Jesus. I'm pretty sure we'll be doing the same and they do. Right? And guess what.. we’ll be right back to a dead heat. 

At the Bema Seat, we will enjoy seeing honor shown to whom honor is due. We'll see with perfect precision the fair Law of Sowing and Reaping play out. The apostles will indeed be administrated in the Kingdom and we'll want to give God all the glory like He deserves. Such magnificent love, such amazing grace, such a wonderful Savior He gave us!

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:21-23 kjv

But there might be some big surprises in store. In heaven--WOW, so surprised! How is it...

1. That some very moral religious people that we knew are not there!
2. Wow, that I'm really here. The inner assurance was real!  
3. That some wild party-animal sinners who lived many years to try and satisfy their own flesh that I thought would NOT be there.. actually ARE now here (cuz they opted to repent and believe in Jesus before they ceased sucking air. Man, you could do that right now if you choose. Dare ya to come to Jesus as you are). 

Remember the Father's older son who stayed and worked so properly, well-behaved, and orderly -- didn't he seem to be eating his feast daily? He basically already had what was given to his younger brother in the prodigal son story. Did he receive less from his caring father? Nope. He should have been glad instead of mad inside that his younger brother humbly repented, came home, and got right with his father.

Let's never be like those lost, arrogant, hard-hearted Pharisees Jesus faced who felt deserved far more and better.

You know how the world has lots of categories for people, geek, drugie, sporto, surfer, nerd, but really there are only two types of people on this planet.. lost or saved (those are Bible terms) and all the "saved" gain the same ultimate reward paid for by Another.

Are you knocking, seeking, asking but not quite sure about where you'll be in eternity?

"'Do not stop him,' Jesus replied, 'for whoever is not against you is for you.'" Luke 9:50

Hey, with all due respect, you're either in or out today, completely found or still wandering around, but you could choose to seek, to trust, to find and be in (God's kingdom made right) today. Many people say they are seekers, but a true seeker is a true finder. And Jesus Christ is the only way in (see John 4:6).

Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters." Matthew 12:30 #InHim&Guided #Gather

God's primary way of reaching unbelievers is still through the prayerful verbal articulation of the gospel message. It's simple, so recommend wholeheartedly (even strangers daily recommend what they really like to us). Win em.. one by one to Christ.. or one on more than one too! Ask the Spirit to convict and draw. Christ alone regenerates inside. Persuade them over into this excellent relationship. Live well. Explain it well. Yes, enter their culture short of sinning, relax, be yourself, and clearly verbalize the gospel in their own language. Brag-on Christ (not pushy or all crazy-eyed. He's so very bragworthy). Enthusiastically point em to Jesus Christ. Request, bid them.. invite em to, or back to Jesus. Now is good. Offer to pray with them (they have things they are concerned about). Suggest taking them to a healthy Bible-teaching church (What time and where shall I pick you up?). Put a hook in every opportunity! When there are more, tactfully (passionately) cast that net! None in heaven will ever be reprimanded for lovingly sharing Jesus too much. 

"For whoever is not against us is for us." Mark 9:40

"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters." Luke 11:23

Now think about the contrast between Judas Iscariot the traitor and the repentant thief on the cross. One did good works to gain and the other had done nothing.

One was a close disciple of Jesus Christ and gave up three years of his life for the best spiritual training available anywhere, I mean of any era. But he was lost and his soul was sadly damned forever. He could have easily repented like the other man.

That thief was a hard-hearted criminal who had still been mocking and blaspheming. He'd basically spit on everything holy after being put up there on a cross next to Christ to die for his crimes he had a change of heart and words. He went straight into paradise forever..by faith in Christ. He didn't earn righteousness or anything from God (none successfully can). He wasn't even water-baptized bro.

These two men were so different, and their life endings were as well. So surprising even. It was what it was with Judas--SO tragic. He was literally a disciple in Christ’s closest circle of twelve..but was lost inside. Regeneration inside had never happened because he never made that choice. He intentionally lost everything.

Judas had been sent out. He preached, and he listened to Christ's true teachings. He sure seemed to be a real believer who was sent out with the purpose of evangelizing and ministering to people. Man, all the disciples were even given power “over all the demons and to heal diseases” (Luke 9:1). What a model follower was this Judas. Really?

When Jesus predicted that one of the twelve would betray Him cuz He already knew what would happen, not one of the other 11 disciples got it. They didn't point any finger of suspicion or accusation at Mr. Pious ole Judas.

Yes, Judas was a trusted man among the other eleven. So much so in fact, that he had been made their treasurer.

"Some thought that, since Judas [as the treasurer of the group] had the money box, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he was to give something to the poor." John 13:29 amp

Did people see his true character for what it really was? Jesus did.

And he betrayed Christ and ended his own miserable religious life by hanging himself. Judas, why didn't you simply admit it and quit it early on.. as you'd seen so many others do, instead of going out to selfishly commit suicide? Such a waste, Judas decided and followed through. He actually chose to enter eternal damnation laden heavy with that horrific personal guilt.. instead of (along with the other freely forgiven sinners..) receive God's ultimate reward of eternal life!

Christ’s words about Judas (who wouldn't believe, though he could have..) should be a warning to us.. to all generations: “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Mark 14:21

That repentant thief on the cross was a real villain for a long time. He'd stolen, he'd hurt people, then he'd met concrete authority. He'd also with a partner in crime, been sentenced to painfully die by that slowest, most cruel, and tortious forms of capital punishment at that time.

Yep, he was called a robber in Matthew 27:38 because that's what he did. It's who we was by choice. How did he steal? It was by cut-throat, vicious violence. He lived by no law but according to his own vicious personal feelings and passions. The Greek term word there says he was a plunderer, a mean-spirited bandit, a real brigand robber-- self-centered rough highwayman. He with his criminal-bud had both been slated to be executed together with creepy Barabbas, the insurrectionist guilty of homicide. Remember that verse about him?

"But they [loudly] shouted out all together, saying, 'Away with this Man, and release Barabbas to us!' (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection that happened in the city, and for murder.)" Luke 23:18-19 amp

Yup, in the early hours of the crucifixion, both the two selfish thieves were taunting and reviling Jesus along with the rest of the mocking crowd (See Matthew 27:44).

But as this one thief watched Jesus die silently—“oppressed.. afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7)—that hardened criminal was drawn by the Father and he got convicted inside by the Holy Spirit.

Listen, most people that expect to party hardy and then have a deathbed conversion are never really afforded the luxury of a deathbed are they. This man.. how rare.. had a last-minute change of heart and believed while hanging there upright.

Literally in the dying moments of his completely-whack and self-trashed wretched life, this man sincerely but imperfectly confessed his wrong-doin' (sin) and humbly uttered a simple prayer of biblical saving faith:

"'We are suffering justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done; but this Man has done nothing wrong.' And he was saying, 'Jesus, please remember me when You come into Your kingdom!' Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”" Luke 23:41-43 amp

He got ready inside, and then got right with God ..and none too early.. so he was ushered that very day into paradise (Luke 23:43), clothed in perfect righteousness. Washed. No charge. Am talkin' free gift received!

He got the same ultimate reward that Peter, James, John, and many other martyrs received. Eternal LIFE Gift-embraced.. f o r e v e r!

You too were created to know and walk with God in a meaningful, personal sort of way. Your good deeds might outweigh all your bad deeds, but it doesn't matter. What we decide regarding Jesus matters. Each of us sinners are to come to Christ on God's terms instead of on our own.

Again, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6 esv

Christ loves and died for you. Listen. If you are NOT sure about where you stand with God today, then you can to that right here and now! Don't put it off.

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." ~ Jesus, in John 6:44

Those who think heaven is a reward for doing good might loudly protest about that thief getting in by the skin of his teeth so to speak, like allowing this to happen was throwing fairness out the window. Our totally just and loving God sent his sinless Son Jesus to take care of all this sin junk for us. Yes for you, me and he. We finish in a dead heat so to speak.

That thief had done nothing whatsoever to merit heaven, but simple repentance and faith in Jesus alone was all that was necessary.

Let's all face it. Heaven’s value system is ginormously different from Earth’s value system. Those who are looked up to, who are esteemed and respected in this world (like the rich young ruler had been) may simply be turned away by God (Christ is the only door in. Man, I hope he later had a change of heart and decided to get born-again (converted, regenerated inside). Jesus can do that for any breathing human even at the 11th hour! 

The opposite is also true: those who are despised and rejected in this corrupt world now (like the disciples were) may, in fact, end up with the ultimate reward of eternal life ..fully paid for by Christ on Calvary's Cross.  Please don’t get caught up with worldliness -- in the world’s way of ranking people and things. You can decide today. Don't put it off another minute!

You know that way of ranking is simply too prone to error. Those who are first in the opinion of all the worldly people (or first according to their own opinion..) may become shocked to discover at the Great White Throne Judgment, that they have finished last according to God’s opinion (who really loved them deeply and it wasn't mere lip service. Not to decide about Jesus.. is to decide. It's to finish last and lose it all. So put this choice not off). Read a bit more on these thoughts from this interesting parable, Yeah, let's pray and dig in deeper...