Devotional 9.3.18

“But Jesus answered them, saying, ‘The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:23-26

Jesus speaks often of not being able to love this life and serve Him, of not being able to serve 2 masters, of following Him and being His servant in obedience in order to claim heaven as our home. Jesus may have spoken in parables but His message was clear. Those that truly believe must work at having a strong faith in order to live the life that is necessary to receive the rewards upon death.

People have allowed their faith to become weak and polluted in this life. Too many people are just not sure of what the truth is to them and what it means. Too many people do not devote enough time to prayer, bible study and to seeking righteousness.

It is too important to your eternal welfare for you to not care about your soul. It is too important to those you love that you show a strong faith and walk a righteous path in submission to Jesus. God did not make us weak and God did not create us to be pushovers or enablers in this life. God did not create us to be corrupt but God knows that this world is corrupt and our influences are poisoned. God has made it so that His grace is known and that His truth is right there in front of us so that we can choose. There is a point in life when we know that we are choosing His way over the world’s way, if we want to belong to Him and we believe.

As much temptation as is possible for you to encounter, the power of God and the pull of His love will always be stronger if you paying attention. There comes a time when personal indulgences must stop and submission to God must start of you want to go home to Him.

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ‘Father, glorify Your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.’” John 12:27-28

LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN

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