~~~~REWARD IN ETERNITY~~

~~~“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.”
----(Luke 6:22-23/ NIV)--

~~No one enjoys the feeling of being excluded or rejected; we would much rather feel like we are accepted and a part of the group. As long as we are in the cozy confines of our church communities, we will enjoy fellowship and the peace that comes from being with like-minded people. But Jesus is warning us that following Him publicly will not always be pleasant. He is not speaking rhetorically, here. He is preparing us to suffer, be rejected, be hated, and perhaps be betrayed. He is inviting us toward an imagination that the reward of our existence is not going to be most fully understood in time. If for a season we suffer, or are rejected, or mocked, Jesus is calling us to rejoice, because God is working in us and through us. Does God make a difference in our lives in time? He absolutely does. But the real payoff for our faith is in eternity.

THINK ABOUT IT
Remember those suffering around the world for their faith in Christ. Pray for them, and let their faithfulness encourage and challenge your own. There is a reward ahead.

PRAYER
~~"Heavenly Father, give me a courageous faith for my days, that I would be known as one called by Your name. Give me boldness to never deny You through silence or disobedience. I rejoice in the prize of eternity with You! In Jesus’ name, amen. 'Even so, Come Lord, Jesus, Come.'~"
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
~~~~~