devotional post # 2028

Luke 18:28-30

Luk 18:28 And Peter said, “Notice, we have left everything we own to follow you!”
Luk 18:29 Then Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of God’s kingdom
Luk 18:30 who will not receive many times more in this age — and in the age to come, eternal life.”

fair trade

On certain sad days I give myself a pity party because my ministry for Christ has taken me far away from home and family. Even when we served in the Philippines as Bible college professors, my wife and I did not feel as lonely as we often do now. After all, our kids were young, and so we always had family around.

When Peter and the other disciples decided to follow Jesus, they had to leave their families behind for long periods of time — so they probably felt that way too.

Jesus reminded them — and us — that it is always a fair trade. The benefits of serving the Lord always outweigh the sacrifices.

LORD, encourage us on those days when we can only see what we have left behind. Remind us of what we have gained.