The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 20:1-2 (NLT)
1 In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
2 May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
Psalm 20:4 (NLT)
4 May he grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Matthew 16:24-26 (HCSB)
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it.
26 What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
My observation:
Jim Elliot and his wife Elisabeth were missionaries to the Auca Indians in Ecuador. Our focal passage from the Gospel of Matthew had a profound and prophetic impact on his life. One day when he read and meditate on this passage he was moved to write the following in his journal:
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose".
When Jesus spoke these words recorded by Matthew in our focal passage, he was telling them that there is a cost to following him. We learn from the lips of Jesus that real discipleship requires real commitment. However, when you have it you will find your real purpose, and you will receive real rewards.
Jim Elliot embraced this teaching of Jesus. He paid the ultimate price by giving his life for the sake of the gospel of Christ. His killing by the Auca Indians led to these people coming to faith in Christ. His wife, with a young daughter, remained in Ecuador serving the people that killed her husband. I had the privilege of hearing Elisabeth Elliot share this story several years ago at a gathering in Anchorage, Alaska, and later reading two of her books.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for this profound teaching of Jesus concerning the cost of discipleship. Father, I pray that when you look into my heart you will find a disciple who has real commitment, and who has a real purpose for living.
--
1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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