Matthew 10:37 – 39 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Dear God, of heaven and earth, I praise You and testify of Your goodness and love. Thank You for hearing the prayers, of one small not very important, (in the earthly sense) person. Yet, again in the human sense; unbelievably, Jesus thought I (everyone) was worth dying for. For when I die to my earthly sinful self, with all my sin, sinful desires and attitudes, and accept You into my heart, I am worth much in the opinion of all whom live in heaven; because You, Jesus have made the difference. I know it is in a not worldly sense for it is whom I am connected to, that makes all the difference. It is lifesaving for me to take into account, for me to place worldly love and affections ahead of love for You, Jesus, would mean I lose out on eternal life and joy. The joy and blessings of heaven will only be possible, when I have put aside the earthly priorities – even the people I love on earth, if they are loved above You. Jesus fills my heart and mind with His peace and love, and they are beyond compare for giving mind contentment and deep down joy to all who accept Him, when I (we) have truly accepted Jesus, (on a daily basis), His love bubbles out of I (us).
It is the reality that this joy and desire to share, will not automatically happen each day, unless I come anew each day to You and humble myself before You in repentance, and in the reading of Your inspired word, then You take my mind in whatever state it is, and fill it with Yourself, and I have a renewed sense of your love and joy, even though I may have to keep coming back and dwell on Your sacrifice for me, along with You day by day goodness, and in the strength of the Holy Spirit (Your gift to us all); at last put self-focus aside, and allow you to lift me up to Yourself, and fill me anew with Your love, joy and peace. I am filled with gratitude for Your continuing love, and patience with me, even though I so often sin and err on the side of self-focus and direction.
Unlike the love God has for every human who ever lived; our love as a human born in sin, for each other is not unconditional, but I do know that Jesus provides all I am and need, for me to be a true child of God, and be equipped to withstand temptation, and overcome my sinful selfishness and desires.
If I am surprised that people reject me or give me a hard time because of my allegiance to You, I should not be, for Jesus received the worst rejection and persecution, that ultimately led to being put to death on a ‘no charge’, born out of sin, selfishness and bigotry.
Too often it is an up and down experience in this battle against Satan, which is constant! Please strengthen me, so that I will accept all that You offer me, and grow daily in Your grace; for You are the answer to my every need.
Amen