Todays Journal Entry was inspired by a Daily Challenge I'm participating in administered by DAIRYFARMERSWIFE. :D
"Were we truly men of dedication?"
The answer to this question,according to JFK,the 35th President of the U.S. is a factor in measuring the success of those in public office.The question *could* serve with deep significance as a test for our success in weight loss.
While Jesus was preaching in northern Galilee he began to show his disciples that "he must go to Jerusalem & suffer many things"-Matthew 16:21 Peter immediately "took(Jesus) aside & commenced rebuking him,saying:'Be kind to yourself Lord,you will not have this destiny at all.'" Jesus responded by "turning his back he said to Peter:'Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me,because you think,not Gods thoughts,but those of men.'" Jesus willingly accepted the self-sacrificing course God assigned him while Peter recommended a more comfortable way to go. There is no doubt Peters intentions were good but Jesus rebuked him because,on this occasion,Peter allowed himself to be influenced by Satan,encouraging "not Gods thoughts,but those of men."-Matthew 16:22-23 I bring this up because Peters words are commonly heard today when ones may encourage *us* to follow the path least resistant. Jesus had a completely different mind set. Telling his disciples:"If anyone wants to come after me let him *disown himself* & pick up his *torture stake* & *continually follow* me."-Matthew 16:24 His words display the *meaning* of *discipleship*, not ones outside the faith,the unbelievers, but to ones who have already accepted the invitation to "come after" him,the believers! They were (we are) ONE:To disown ourselves,which implies a *willingness*to say NO to selfish desires or personal convenience.It isn't a matter of every now & again foregoing certain pleasures nor does it mean that we become self-destructive.We no longer "belong to ourselves" in that we willingly surrender our whole life & everything in it to Jehovah.-1Corin.6:19-20 Instead of getting out of life all *we* want,our determination is to do what God asks of us.His will. Even,& *especially*,when it means going against our imperfect inclinations, we *still* show exclusive devotion to God by striving to live up to our dedication to him.Our *commitment* to him,for the rest of our lives. TWO: We pick up our torture-stake,which represents suffering. Jesus expression shows that his followers must be *prepared* to accept persecution,contempt, even death since they would be "no part of the world".-John 15:18-20 Our standards,our way of life,set us apart,so others may "speak abusively of us."-1Peter 4:4 But we are willing to endure this "suffering" because we no longer live to please ourselves.-Matthew 5:11-12 Our "reward",Gods favor is what matters! THREE: Continually follow him. To go in the same way,as him.(1John 2:6) Christ did not please *himself*. -Romans 5:3 He knew what he *must do*. His life must be one not of self-gratification,or of taking the easy way but of self-sacrifice. He knew well-meaning sympathy was a trap so he *shut it down immediately*,KNOWING that entertaining any ideas of a life free from sacrifice would lead him away from his reward.He accepted this as his way of LIFE! He set the example for us.
Altho' Jesus life was challenging he didn't find it a burden.He took *pleasure* in submitting himself to doing what he knew to be right & he gained real *satisfaction* from it.(Matthew 4:4;John 4:34)
Jesus asked a thought provoking question:
"What will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Satans allegation in Jobs day was:"Everything that a man has he will give in exchange for his soul."-Job 2:4 For some,for *many* Satans words may be true. They would do *anything* even abandon their principals just to stay alive. It makes me think of the new TV show CRISIS. BUT....there *are ones* who view things differently. Which view do WE hold?
Our answer to that question can be seen in our lifes course.