People like this man would. In fact, he IS. Meet Jacob Brothers. To hear Jacob talk or preach or pray, you can't help but notice his love for Jesus. And now he is showing that love in another step of faith... a BIG step. Leaving a small county town that only has one traffic light to Scotland to pastor a church because Jesus wanted him to go. That's love.
But then again, who has shown more love than Jesus Christ? Nobody but Jesus could have and DID die for you and me so that we wouldn't have to go to hell when we die. If we will put our trust in Jesus by asking Him to forgive us of our sins and by asking Him to take control of our lives so that we can please God in our thoughts, words, and actions, then when we die, we will spend eternity in heaven with God, Jesus, and all of the saints.
So today, I ask you to pray for my friend and fellow pastor, Jacob. Pray that he and family are safe as they travel and that God is glorified in their lives as they start this new chapter in their lives.
2 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. 3 Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail. 4 Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them. 5 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. 6 Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. Col 4:2-6 (MSG)
Thanks for the encouragement, Bruce-- as well as the wonderful devotional. Praise God! Praise God that while I was a sinner and an enemy of God-- deserving nothing but his wrath... through the good news of Jesus' death in my place, and resurrection that He has called me (and all of his followers) to give up the rights to our dead lives, and find life and forgiveness in Christ alone! Its interesting how little we think of the cost in following Christ, but He tells those who follow him to "count the cost". He also tells us all to "take up our cross and follow Him". He calls us to die a cruel, torturous death! This isn't just a nice witty saying--- He literally calls every single Christian not just to pray a prayer or be baptized, but to turn from our Sin, and to die to ourselves, our plans, our dreams and goals, and to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Jesus is the King of Kings, and requires (in the words of David Platt) radical obedience from all of his followers! When, though the saving Gospel of Christ, born again Christians live for His Kingdom instead of our own, then and only then will we experience the abundant life in Christ (John 10:10)!
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