July 26: The Account with Purity
In today's devotion, Chambers says "If I will hand myself over to Him, I need never experience the terrible possibilities that are in my heart." Did you take the time to look up Matthew 15:19? We are all obviously capable of evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony [lies], and slander. (NIV)
Just yesterday, Jerald and I were commenting on a song on the radio, "One of These Days." It is about what will happen when we get to heaven, and one line has always grabbed my attention: "One of these days I will see what I would have been if He hadn't saved me." When I try to realistically imagine what kind of person I would be today if I had refused to surrender to Jesus in July 1972....every scenario makes me shudder. We married so young, and argued so much; divorce would have been the natural solution. Depression plagued me in my twenties. Would I be addicted to anti-depressants, constantly in therapy, or would I have given in to the suicidal thoughts and not even been here today? The list of bad times is long and the outcomes would have certainly been devastating. Without Jesus there is no way I could have ended up with the life I have today.
Just as Jesus knew the rewards of following Him, He also knew the cost of discipleship. My prayer is that you will embrace His challenge in Luke 9:23-25: If anyone would come after me, he must take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
Just yesterday, Jerald and I were commenting on a song on the radio, "One of These Days." It is about what will happen when we get to heaven, and one line has always grabbed my attention: "One of these days I will see what I would have been if He hadn't saved me." When I try to realistically imagine what kind of person I would be today if I had refused to surrender to Jesus in July 1972....every scenario makes me shudder. We married so young, and argued so much; divorce would have been the natural solution. Depression plagued me in my twenties. Would I be addicted to anti-depressants, constantly in therapy, or would I have given in to the suicidal thoughts and not even been here today? The list of bad times is long and the outcomes would have certainly been devastating. Without Jesus there is no way I could have ended up with the life I have today.
Just as Jesus knew the rewards of following Him, He also knew the cost of discipleship. My prayer is that you will embrace His challenge in Luke 9:23-25: If anyone would come after me, he must take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
posted by Jane at 4:29 AM
1 Comments:
Amen to that! Most women in my family rely on some type of therapy (medicinal, professional, or both) to get through the day. Although I came from the same genetic cesspool and have the same inclinations, I have learned to give it all to God. I keep trying to get them to understand that in God's hands their problems, sadness and disappointments are nothing more than exercises to strengthen the spirit. Sure it is natural to want to avoid all pain, but to do so is as spiritually unhealthy as avoiding all physical work and exercise.
Stacie, I am glad you have learned this life lesson and thus have great joy!
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