Dispatches from the Front continues in India, where, beyond its storied past, brilliant colors, and puzzling diversity, are the sorrows of caste and the shadows of prison walls where millions live in chains to gods of their own making. See this land of stark contrasts, from the squalor of an Untouchables’ encampment to the dazzling symmetry of the Taj Mahal. Go inside India’s Temple of Doom, and take a boat on the Ganges to the holiest city of Hinduism, where pilgrims in vain wash away their sins in its muddy waters. Travel to a secret baptismal service and gather with believers by lamplight as they rejoice over Jesus and the fellowship of His sufferings. "Souls of the Brave" is a story of extraordinary love and extraordinary sacrifice as believers take up their cross, follow Christ, and never look back.
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Matthew 20:1-16
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The rich young ruler has just turned away from following Jesus because of his many possessions. Jesus uses the tragic incident to teach His disciples about— 

Impossible Salvation—For people to forsake their self-sufficiency to trust and follow Jesus is like passing a camel through the eye of a needle, that is, impossible with man—but not with God.

Astonishing Reward—hundredfold and eternal life—completely dwarfs anything or anybody we might lose for the sake of following Jesus

Humbling caution about feeling they were somehow superior to the rich man and others like him because they were among the first to leave everything to follow Jesus. 

This parable illustrates what He means when He says “many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Following Jesus is like being in the service of a Gracious King, Who owns it all, recruits workers, gives generously, cheats no one, and rewards as He chooses. 

Genesis 46
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But for Jacob to take his entire family down to Egypt is not a small decision—more like a seismic shift. His sons had just brought back the incredible news that Joseph was alive—and ruler in the land of Egypt. But move there? God had told Isaac not to do so years before (Gen. 26:2). Early Abraham had done so—and it just led to trouble. Both times had been times of famine.

Would the family survive if they went?

Would they be absorbed into the Egyptian nation?

Would God’s promise of a Deliverer, the offspring of Abraham, be thwarted?

Jacob is old. He has experienced much heartache. To pull up stakes and move to an entirely different region is unsettling. He has been through it before. He will likely never lay eyes on Canaan again. Change is hard for anyone, but especially for those up in years. Feels insecure and our natural inclination would be to stay put—except for the famine and the prospect of seeing Joseph again.

So how will Jacob know what to do? How do we know when or how to embark on major change in our own lives? 

When God says move—what is important?

Worship: Make worship a priority. (1)

Promise: Trust God’s Word. (2-4)

Exodus: Commit completely to the journey. (5-27)

Reunion: Anticipate renewed relationships. (28-30)

Distinction: Don’t forget you belong to God. (31-34)

Here’s the bottom line: forever not only promises us blessing in the future, but it guarantees us the grace that we need in the here and now. This grace is not a set of things; it’s a person, and his name is Jesus! Understanding that God’s greatest gift is himself changes the way you live. If Christ lives inside you, not only is it impossible for you to be alone, but it is impossible for you to be left to your own resources of character, wisdom, and strength. — Paul David Tripp in Forever: Why You Can't Live Without It

HT: Of First Importance