The cost

Jesus said to follow Me, most people follow Him to the foot of the cross , but that is where they stay.

They believe this is their salvation, but it is not.

To follow Jesus goes way beyond the cross, we must follow Him to the end. We must forsake all and seek Him and His righteousness, we must take up our cross acknowledge Him.

The cost of discipleship is grand but it is nothing when compared to being a child of God.

Have you gotten up yet from the foot of the cross?

If not get up and go to the other side, your Lord and Savior awaits to walk with you.

“Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.   The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow   Me is not worthy of Me. Anyone finding   his life will lose it, and anyone losing   his life because of Me will find it.

Matthew 10:32-39

Where do you find joy?

Where do you find joy?

In people, places or things? Do you feel that these complete you or make you who you are?

Reading this morning this passage stuck out to me, "the joy of the Lord is your stronghold."

Nehemiah and Ezra have just rebuilt Jerusalem and just started reading the laws of God to the people who had been in captivity, and now where free. They were reminded that God is Holy and that they are set apart by Him and that they have a call to live by His ways. The people where grieving for they knew why they where in captivity but they were told." Therefore do not grieve all that they have suffered but take joy in our portion of the Lord."

Circumstances, people, health, family, friends, jobs, living arrangements, the economy, wealth, the weather, the old and the young alike die, political parties, bosses, the laws of man everything here on earth changes and we have no control over any of it.

But the Lord our God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And if you are His, your portion of His inheritance, your portion of the promises of God, will never change, no matter what happens here on earth.

That is a stronghold of joy that we should hold onto no matter what.

What ever your facing today Take heart

" the joy of the Lord is your stronghold."

Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.”  And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Do not grieve.” Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them.

Nehemiah 8:9-12