Luxury without the payment.
Written by Shakina Small
Matthew 16:24-26
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
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While driving to work on Friday, I started complaining about my bills mainly my car payment. Comparing my income with my bills I began looking for ways to decrease my debt. Two weeks ago, I received a letter in the mail informing me that I might be able to refinance my car payment. My thoughts were this would be a good idea to save money on bills. While at work I looked up the company to decide if this would be a wise decision for me. As I started to prepare for a meeting; I asked Hashem to forgive me for complaining and to help me be grateful for what I have; and grant me more wisdom to manage my finances
Later that evening while attending shabbat service, as the Rabbi began to teach on the importance of the Month Of Elul. Adoni (God) spoke these words to my spirit. “You want the luxury without the payment”. As I pondered on what I heard Him say to me; He took me back to when I was complaining about my car payment. He explained how I wanted the luxury of driving the car but I didn’t want the payment of the car. He continued to say this how many of us act towards Him. We want the luxury of Hashem (God) but not the cost. Many of us tried to refinance the conditions of salvation to benefit us. We want Him on our terms.
Salvation is a free gift to all who believes and follows Yeshua (Jesus), but it still cost for us to die to self daily, that the second man may live. However, there’s a debt we cannot pay so we need Yeshua Hamashiach’s blood to cover our payment. Matthew 16:24-26 reminds us to take up your cross (daily) and follow Yeshua. There are many luxuries that comes with being a disciple of Yeshua but just remember it comes with a payment and that is your life for His.
Sincerely yours
Shakina Small, Shabbat Shalom.
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