Do you want to follow Jesus? He demands a life change, complete surrender of our life to Him. Matthew 16: 24, "If anyone follow me, he must deny himself and take up his cross".... What is your cross? If you don't have one yet, you will. It won't be easy, but He promises to ALWAYS be with us.
I believe half of the reason why people don’t give all of themselves to Christ, is because either they don’t want to change or give up something’s, but also afraid of how God might want to use their life to bring Him glory.
If you have been watching the bible series on t.v., or you have read the bible, you will see that ALL of God's servants, (Children of God) did not have it easy at all. Look at what Paul says in Philippians 2: 14-18, "I am being poured out like a drink offering"... That doesn't sound easy to me. Our lives are to be an offering to point people to Jesus and our eternal home.
We can hold on to this world, but we will feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that will always try to grab at our hearts, mind (thoughts), and soul. Or we can enter into God's rest, holding onto the promise that He brings. "There will be a day, and a place with no more suffering." No more tears, no more pain, no more fears, no more burdens of this place. But until that day of seeing Jesus face to face, hold onto Him through this race. The beauty that Jesus brings to our hearts, mind, and souls while we are here in this life, far outweighs the hurt of life's sting.
John 5:30, Jesus said, "I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me." Wow, this is the mind set we are to have as a follower! That's not easy at a young healthy age, is it? Yes if we are old, and have lived life, it would be a little easier to say. But the truth of this gift of life is, what God says it is. And that is to glorify Him, and point people home.
I look at life as a race. You will find many scriptures that say that...1 Corinthians 9:24,.. Hebrews 12: 1,.. 2 Timothy 4: 7 We don't know how long our race will be. It may be a sprint, it may be for a long distance. It is a race of being made spiritually mature. The experiences that God allows for us to go through, should bring our hearts, mind, and soul, one with Jesus Christ. It is never an easy race, but winners have to train hard. Our life is a stage for God from the start, to the finish line.
Think of how short Jesus' life was on earth. Being tested in the desert for 40 days to build His strength for all He would endure before He was sent out to do the will of His Father. Everything Jesus did was to point us to His Father, and our home forever, as He glorified Him in His suffering.
Suffering, and trials will come in this race of life. We can't say it isn't fair when we look at Jesus and His suffering. He is the reason why we even have this gift of life. Some of us are given a long life, some of us are given a short time here. Whatever we are gifted with, the race is still to glorify God.
So how do we "shine like stars.... as you hold out the word of life".... even while you carry your cross…… By rejoicing, not complaining. Look to Jesus on the cross coming close to His death, and remember what He said when He saw His loved ones crying. “don’t cry for me, cry for yourselves.” He knew where He was going. Back to His glorious kingdom He promises to all who believe, and call Him Lord, and live their lives to show He is Lord. He knew what we who are left here in this world, are going to face. I thank God this isn’t home. So until that day, I hold onto Him as tight as I can.
Watching the lives of those who are believers and rejoicing in their trials, is more attractive to me than someone complaining and gloomy everyday of their life.
I want to know the strength that person has to keep running the race of eternal victory, even while they are suffering, from the start, to the finish line.
I heard a car insurance commercial the other day and it made me think.... He said, " Are you in good hands? Well with us, good things come to those who drive right."
Well, I know that I am in good Hands, and I know good things while I am here may not happen. But the greatest part of this race, is I am allowing God to drive my life. I don't want to go yet, but I don't fear it either. I know... "There will be a day that I will enter in His rest, with the wonders anew, and I will see Jesus face to face."
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
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