DAILY BREAD OF LIFE

(KJV.)  MATTHEW 10:38-40

(38)  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me is not worthy of me.
(39)  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
(40)  He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.


LOYALTY OF DISCIPLESHIP 

Brethren,  if we do not embrace and pursue our callings into the faith to serve Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, we are not worthy to partake of his eternal glory;  for, if due to our callings, we become afraid of persecutions, reproaches or losing our lives;  Jesus assures us today, that if we die through persecutions our souls will not perish in the graveyards but will resurrect on the day of rapture and we will have everlasting lives;  for whosoever welcomes the gospel of salvation through us, embraces him, and whosoever embraces him, embraces the LORD of hosts who sent him to planet earth.


WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:

Brethren, to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, requires sacrifice;  for the Lord sacrificed himself on the cross of Calvary, died and rose again from the death to redeem our souls from bondage of sins to eternity;  and to follow him faithfully, we must also deny ourselves of fleshly desires, embrace the cross and follow him;  (a)  some believers give up secular jobs to follow after their callings into the faith, and sacrifice themselves to serve the Lord and to bring others into salvation;  (b)  others believers travel out of their comfort zones to different parts of the world as missionaries to spread the gospel to remote parts of the world;  (c)  while others may give up fleshly desires such as excessive drinking, or smoking to set themselves apart for the master's use, to receive resurrection power of the Holy Spirit;  sacrifices for righteousness sake are not in vain, there are rewarded if we do not fail but persevere to the end of our days on earth.

Case in point,   to build ourselves up in the faith of discipleship,  (i)  it requires reading and studying of the scriptures daily, from Genesis to Revelation to know about the Lord and his kingdom;  for the scripture says "Seek ye first the Kingdom God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt.6:33);   (ii)  we are to build a relationship with the Lord through daily praises, prayers and supplications;  we can also pray to him in our hearts everywhere, at all times;  however, let us form habits of seeking his face at regular times of the day;  (iii)   at times knowing the Lord requires self denials of lusts of the flesh, so we can focus spiritually on duties and responsibilities of faith;  (iv)  as faithful disciples, let us minster and encourage others with gifts received from the Lord through resurrection power of the Holy Spirit;  (v)  we are to emulate Christ in all his ways; therefore, let us see humanity through his perspective;  his love and compassion, for all souls;  regardless of our failures, godly or ungodly behaviors, the sick, lame, blind, poor, drunkards or prostitutes;  he loves everyone the same! therefore, let us not pick and choose who we would like to associate ourselves with, but accept people the way they are, and pray for those who need the Lord's mercies and salvation;  (vi) lastly,  to be good workers of his vineyard;  let us exercise forbearance, perseverance and long suffering in the faith and in the righteousness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to obtain golden crowns of glories forevermore,

Points to ponder,  if we really embrace our callings, and spread the gospel of our Jesus Christ, no matter what consequences may be,  we will overcome persecutions by precious blood of Calvary! therefore,  let us persevere in the faith, without fear;  for Jesus Christ is with us!  and even if we walk through valleys of shadow of death, we will fear no evil;  though we may lose our lives along the path of righteousness;  in Christ, we are still living and will inherit life everlasting.

Therefore, we are worthy of his callings today,  for, we know that we are his own when enemies rise up against us in the faith;  that is a sign for sure, that we are counted worthy of his glory, he who called us from darkness into his marvelous light to be used to bring others along into boat of salvation, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Brethren,  no matter what cross we bear today,  let us count ourselves worthy in the faith of the righteousness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;  he dwells in our hearts,  there is therefore now no condemnation awaiting us;  for we walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit, and have receive grace and salvation through him forever and evermore.  Amen and Amen!


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

(KJV.)  John 12:26  If any man serve me,  let him follow me;  and where I am,  there shall also my servant be:  if any man serve me,  him will my Father honour.