Bible League: Living His Word What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?When you add it all up, what really pays off in life in the long run? There are those in life, on the one hand, that think the only thing that really pays is to do everything you can to save your life, enhance your life, and gain as much of anything and everything as you can. Life only pays if you're living the high life at the top of the heap. For them, anything that requires personal sacrifice, anything that endangers life, anything that does not pay off in the here and now is to be avoided at all costs. There are those in life, on the other hand, that think the only thing that really pays is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. They do whatever it takes to be a disciple even if it means losing their lives, living life at a lower level, or not having as much of anything and everything your heart desires. Life only pays if you're living the life God has called you to live. For them, anything that requires personal sacrifice, anything that endangers life, anything that does not pay off in the here and now is acceptable if it means the Kingdom of God is advanced and enhanced. The trouble with living the high life, however, is that it really doesn't pay off in the long run; it really is short-sighted. You may gain the whole world, but lose your own soul. You will have sacrificed eternity for the temporary rewards of the here and now. The benefit of being a disciple, on the other hand, is that it really does pay off in the long run; it really is far-sighted. You may lose the world, but you will preserve your own soul. You may sacrifice fame and fortune in the here and now, but you will have gained everything for all eternity. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, then take the long view of life befitting you. Ask yourself if what you are doing is advancing and enhancing the Kingdom of God, or if it is nothing more than a pitiful attempt to save and enhance your own life. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJudges 6, 7 Judges 6 -- Oppression by Midian; Gideon Chosen; Destruction of Altar of Baal; Fleece NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Judges 7 -- Gideon Uses 300 Chosen Men to Defeat the Midianites NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 8:1-21 Luke 8 -- Parables of the Sower and Lamp; Jesus Calms the Storm, Heals the Demoniac, Raises a Dead Girl NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Don't let me drift toward evilor take part in acts of wickedness. Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong. Insight David asked God to guard his heart. Evil acts begin with evil desires. Challenge It isn't enough to ask God to keep you away from temptation, make you stronger, or change your circumstances. You must ask him to change you on the inside—at the level of your desires. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Hosea 10:12 It is time to seek the Lord.This month of April is said to derive its name from the Latin verb aperio, which signifies to open, because all the buds and blossoms are now opening, and we have arrived at the gates of the flowery year. Reader, if you are yet unsaved, may your heart, in accord with the universal awakening of nature, be opened to receive the Lord. Every blossoming flower warns you that it is time to seek the Lord; be not out of tune with nature, but let your heart bud and bloom with holy desires. Do you tell me that the warm blood of youth leaps in your veins? then, I entreat you, give your vigor to the Lord. It was my unspeakable happiness to be called in early youth, and I could fain praise the Lord every day for it. Salvation is priceless, let it come when it may, but oh! an early salvation has a double value in it. Young men and maidens, since you may perish ere you reach your prime, "It is time to seek the Lord." Ye who feel the first signs of decay, quicken your pace: that hollow cough, that hectic flush, are warnings which you must not trifle with; with you it is indeed time to seek the Lord. Did I observe a little grey mingled with your once luxurious tresses? Years are stealing on apace, and death is drawing nearer by hasty marches, let each return of spring arouse you to set your house in order. Dear reader, if you are now advanced in life, let me entreat and implore you to delay no longer. There is a day of grace for you now--be thankful for that, but it is a limited season and grows shorter every time that clock ticks. Here in this silent chamber, on this first night of another month, I speak to you as best I can by paper and ink, and from my inmost soul, as God's servant, I lay before you this warning, "It is time to seek the Lord." Slight not that work, it may be your last call from destruction, the final syllable from the lip of grace. Daily Light on the Daily Path Judges 6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.1 Chronicles 22:9 'Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. Matthew 12:42 "The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 32:18,19 Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places; • And it will hail when the forest comes down, And the city will be utterly laid low. Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, Micah 5:5 This One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, When he tramples on our citadels, Then we will raise against him Seven shepherds and eight leaders of men. Revelation 17:14 "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful." John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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