March 21, 2003	Read Matthew 10:24-39
RISK AND REWARD
And whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. As I read the Bible passage for today, I felt an overwhelming sense of burden.  How am I to do this!  I do not have the stamina to accomplish what God calls me to do.   This will require sacrifice on my part. God is asking me to trust and sacrifice financial security, personal defense, physical safety, earthly status, family relationships, personal agendas, and even life itself.  On the other hand, the promised rewards are great. They are the meeting of personal needs, the ability to deliver God's word, the Lord's eternal protection, membership in God's family, and genuine life. I am sure you have heard the saying "risk and reward."   We can realize the reward by trusting in God's love and having faith and courage to try.  We need only try -- and do it on a day to day basis.  I must remember that truth will triumph.  Death is not final; God cares for and loves his own.  At the coming Judgment Day, God's people will be rewarded and their enemies punished. Is it time to take an inventory of ourselves?  Yes it is!  An inventory helps clean up our thoughts and deeds.   The sense of burden I referred to earlier is lessened when we can look at ourselves truthfully; with God's loving grace, we can peel away the defects and replace them with Christ -centered actions.  We look to prayer. We ask for an open mind to receive God's promise and the courage and confidence to use it.   Lord, today I pray for the wisdom to build a better tomorrow on the mistakes and experiences of yesterday.  Provide me with the tools that are useful in overcoming my sins.  Jeanne Tiller

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