Wednesday, March 14, 2007

3-14-07 Leaving All "Mark 10:28-31"

Memory Verse: Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

In his book, "What It Costs To Be A Good Christian," Dr. John R. Rice shares the following about leaving all for Jesus:

"Jesus is here talking about discipleship, and real discipleship is not easy. It is misunderstanding instead of understanding. It is infamy instead of fame. It is often hate instead of love by those who ought to love you, a loved one.

"In World War II, in the midst of those terrible days when England was tried almost beyond endurance, bombed and beaten by the German war machine of Hitler, Winston Churchill called upon the people of England to be ready for 'blood and sweat and tears.' It was no easy task to which he challenged them. And shall we expect it to mean less when we come to follow Jesus Christ with all our hearts?"

Dr. Rice follows with this challenge:
"Then count the cost today. Are you willing to pay the price in suffering and persecution, in poverty, even in death, if the Lord so wills it? Are you willing to be counted a nut and a fool, a crank, a fanatic, for Jesus? Are you willing to suffer the loss of all things like Paul, to leave home and kindred like Abraham, to leave the nets and the boats like Peter, Andrew, James and John? Are you willing to leave a lucrative job as Matthew the publican did? Weigh the thing well, for you do not want to put your hand to the plow and then turn back."

Leaving all for Jesus means total surrender. He will always lead us according to His Word. And in following Him, we will never go astray.

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