Following Jesus

I was reading this morning in Matthew 8 on the Cost of Following Jesus... It is so easy to say I will follow you where ever you go Lord. It is however, much harder to live out, as Jesus pointed out in this scripture passage (v.18-22). Because are we really willing to follow Him at all cost... even if it means we loose some friends, comforts, are rejected, despised, abused, neglected, scorned, treated unfairly, have to leave (home, friends & family behind), or even if it means we lay down our life literally?

This made me think of John 21:18-19, where Jesus told Peter what kind of death he would have that would glorify God. It made me think of Paul and the other apostles, prophets & believers who laid down their earthy lives for something far greater than themselves. (See also Hebrews 11:35-40). We seem to have too great a view of this, our earthly life and too little a view of what is eternal... the promises, the Kingdom, our God! This life is nothing in comparison to what lies ahead!

I was at a Beth Moore conference not too long ago where she spoke on our inheritance in Christ... it was amazing... one of the key points she hit home was that we are inheriting a real kingdom, we will be in the presence of God, surrounded by other people... we will not just sit around on clouds and play harps ... we will truly live! We have an inheritance in eternity, we have a portion (lots), there are eternal rewards... but all of this is nothing in comparison to fully knowing & seeing God! This life is but a shadow of what is to come... Believe it!!!

Oh that we would be encouraged by the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us (Heb. 12:1, but please go ahead and read the whole chapter-so good!). That we would press on and run the race that is before us (1 Cor. 9:25-27), to win a prize that lasts! Oh beloved ones, follow Jesus in truth and give Him your all... every corner of your heart, mind...self. When He ask you to follow Him my prayer is that you will immediately follow & obey (Matt. 5:19-20). You will be greatly blessed... Believe Him, believe His Word, His promises... believe that He can make all things new and that includes you! Oh may you be blessed, to live fruit filled lives to glorify God!