Good Morning “Faithful… Even If-ers”. Today we are in Jeremiah 20.
Things weren’t going the way Jeremiah had hoped. He assumed that as Gods Messenger, bringing the people Gods very Word, that he would be met with joy, love, thankfulness, and acceptance. It seems logical to assume that a people who say they “belong” to God would willing receive His Word. No always so. Not when His Word comes as a warning, a rebuke, an admonition… really anything other than promises of blessing - health, wealth, and prosperity.
FACT - we don’t like to be told the way we’re living is messed up. Pointing out the evils of our flesh isn’t popular. Paul pointed out that even the “Good News” of The Cross and Salvation through Jesus is foolishness to the lost (1 Corinthians 1:18-19).
Somehow we’ve bought the lie that if we give our lives to Jesus, and commit to serving Him as “living sacrifices”, our lives will be full of bunnies and rainbows. That’s never promised. In fact Jesus warned the Disciples of exactly the opposite (John 15:18-25, John 16:33, Matthew 10:22). Now, He does promise blessing for service… but not necessarily in THIS life, in THIS place (Matthew 5:11-12).
The author of Hebrews, after telling us of some of the Hero’s of The Faith in Hebrews 11 - gives us the rest of the story. He ends with some who were tortured, beaten, flogged, stoned, sawed in two… and although commended for their faith never realized any of the promises while here on earth. Why, because God had something way better, something eternal for them on the other side (Hebrews 11:35-40).
Ministry, serving, loving people for Jesus as we are commanded can be exhausting and at times appear fruitless. Ok… Jesus told us it would. The question is are you in? EVEN IF… your reward is ONLY in heaven. I’m IN! Are you?
Love you all! Dig in!
Things weren’t going the way Jeremiah had hoped. He assumed that as Gods Messenger, bringing the people Gods very Word, that he would be met with joy, love, thankfulness, and acceptance. It seems logical to assume that a people who say they “belong” to God would willing receive His Word. No always so. Not when His Word comes as a warning, a rebuke, an admonition… really anything other than promises of blessing - health, wealth, and prosperity.
FACT - we don’t like to be told the way we’re living is messed up. Pointing out the evils of our flesh isn’t popular. Paul pointed out that even the “Good News” of The Cross and Salvation through Jesus is foolishness to the lost (1 Corinthians 1:18-19).
Somehow we’ve bought the lie that if we give our lives to Jesus, and commit to serving Him as “living sacrifices”, our lives will be full of bunnies and rainbows. That’s never promised. In fact Jesus warned the Disciples of exactly the opposite (John 15:18-25, John 16:33, Matthew 10:22). Now, He does promise blessing for service… but not necessarily in THIS life, in THIS place (Matthew 5:11-12).
The author of Hebrews, after telling us of some of the Hero’s of The Faith in Hebrews 11 - gives us the rest of the story. He ends with some who were tortured, beaten, flogged, stoned, sawed in two… and although commended for their faith never realized any of the promises while here on earth. Why, because God had something way better, something eternal for them on the other side (Hebrews 11:35-40).
Ministry, serving, loving people for Jesus as we are commanded can be exhausting and at times appear fruitless. Ok… Jesus told us it would. The question is are you in? EVEN IF… your reward is ONLY in heaven. I’m IN! Are you?
Love you all! Dig in!
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