by Graig Bantle, Director of Adult Ministries @ MBC Loudoun

This morning during my time with the Lord I read a quote from a martyr of our time for God’s Kingdom, Jim Elliot. He said,

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

These words are quite powerful. There is no doubt that as a follower of Christ it is costing us something. We all drive around Loudoun County everyday and don’t have to look very far to understand that we are giving up a great deal of temporary satisfaction to live for Christ. In the midst of a given day, I often catch myself pondering too much on what I am giving up to follow Christ, versus focusing on gaining what I cannot lose.

1 Corinthians 2:9 – Paul quotes Isaiah saying, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those that Love him.”

I know that when I accepted Christ into my life it changed everything forever. I know many times I didn’t feel this change. I didn’t experience immediate flashes of light from the heaven’s, (that I could see!) ticker tape falling from the sky or trumpets (my favorite instrument) playing a fanfare. What I did understand though is the idea of what Paul talks about in Philippians (3:20) of the fact that we are citizen’s of God’s eternal Kingdom.

Lately, I have been so overwhelmed by the promises of God in my life. It is my desire to encourage/remind each of you today to hold onto the promises of God, which we CANNOT lose as a citizen of Christ. Here is a list of promises that I read this morning. He promises us:

• Forgiveness of our Sins
• A relationship with Jesus
• The Gift of the Holy Spirit
• Eternity in God’s Kingdom
• To See His Face
• A New Heaven and New Earth
• Freedom from Sin’s Rule in our Life
• Fellowship of God’s church
• Inclusion into God’s kingdom

Continue to seek Jesus and focus on being in a right relationship with Him, for it will not end in time.

Hope these thoughts encouraged you all as they did me today! Stay the Course.