02/14/2024
The Return
Mark 10:30
“who shall not receive a hundredfold now in
this time—houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”
Many of us have investments- stocks, bonds, precious metals. And when the market is roaring, we are pleased about it. We are receiving dividends, and checks in the mail from interest and royalties. But when the market is in a lull, perhaps tanks, our enthusiasm wanes quickly.
We like this hundredfold return for simply leaving our former life, friends, and family for our Jesus and the advancement of the Gospel, yet the idea of persecution quickly diminishes our zeal.
We conveniently like to leave this word out.
Yet, it is the most important part of “The Return”.
With all investments there are risks. And certainly, where the investor could lose everything. There is a tire company that has this slogan, “a lot is riding on those tires.”
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 16:9- “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” In other words, many resist, persecute, make trouble, cause tribulation, and oppose. There will be pushback because there must be pushback.
Like in the stock market, like with a car battery. For the electrical charge to perform properly, there must be a negative charge coming against the positive. We surely do not welcome this idea of persecution, yet it is necessary for the advancement of the Gospel.
As in any Super Bowl, there is an advancing team and an opposing team. There can be no winner without opposition.
Saints, what greater return could we possibly get on our initial investment in the Lord Jesus Christ and the advancement of the Gospel? Eternal life, and the Salvation of souls. For all the trouble we will put up with, all the resistance coming against us. We remain steadfast, putting on Love, tender mercies, and conducting ourselves in this sportsman-like conduct. We are headed to the End Zone. And yes, “a lot is riding on those tires.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know there have been times when I have not followed through on a nudge from the Holy Spirit to speak to someone or do something that I felt led to do, because of fear of the opposition. I sincerely ask Your forgiveness for the times I allowed the enemy to place the fear in my mind keeping me from following Your guidance. Please help me to be ever mindful of Your gentle promptings and to follow through with boldness. May I be like the three Hebrew boys and say, “I know my God will deliver me, but even if not, I will do His will.” In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
If there have been times in your life when you have failed to follow through with anything God has prompted you to do, go to Him today and sincerely ask His forgiveness. Read accounts in the Word of God where people follow His guidance, even in the most dire situations, and grow in faith so that you, too, can follow through in whatever He asks of you.
Even the toughest of situations will come to
an end if you follow through with the Lord’s promptings. Watch the messag,get into the
Word and be encouraged to remain steadfast.
One way to grow in relentless faith is by plugging into a community of believers. If you dont have a church find a church and jump in with both feet..
