Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Devotionals by J.M. Farro


The Costs and Rewards of Discipleship


"Peter said to [Jesus], ‘We have left everything to follow you!’ ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.’"
- Mark 10:28-30 NIV



Devotional Player

These verses should be a great comfort to those of us who have made sacrifices to follow the Savior and do His will. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus warns us that those who want to be His disciples should be prepared to make sacrifices. In Luke 14:33 (NIV), He says, "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple." Of course, most of us will not be asked to give up everything we have, but Jesus is referring to a certain mindset and attitude of the heart here. God wants us to be willing to surrender to Him all that He asks us to. And He wants us to know that discipleship can be costly. But serving God has its rewards, too. Look at the above verses again. Jesus says that no matter who or what we give up, we will receive a hundredfold return in this lifetime, as well as eternal life in the next. The Savior is assuring us here that we can't outgive God! And the more costly the sacrifice, the greater the reward.

The apostle Paul knew what it was like to make great sacrifices for God. He was a well-respected Pharisee when the Lord called him into service on the road to Damascus. He sacrificed his reputation, his family, his friends, and eventually his life, to follow Jesus. He endured endless persecution, as well as repeated beatings and imprisonments. Yet look at these verses he wrote in Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV): "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ..." What is God asking you to give up today? A relationship that is not in His will for you? A job that is separating you from His greatest blessings? Some form of entertainment that is detrimental to your relationship with Him? Whatever it is, if you will surrender it to the Lord, He will reward you in unimaginable ways. After all—"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him"! (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV)

Prayer: Lord, it is my heart's desire to be Your disciple and follow You. Give me the grace I need to wholeheartedly surrender to You all that I have and all that I am. Help me to make the sacrifices I need to so that nothing and no one will ever come between us. Thank You for rewarding me with abundant blessings and a closer relationship with You!

- J. M. Farro

 

go to main Devotionals page
go to Devotionals archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, September 9, 2025
DC3 Bake Off - A COLORS SHOW - Single (independent)
Former Ruins In Your Field - Single (independent)
John Van Deusen Hallelujah Story - Single [Anotherland]

This Friday, September 12, 2025
ALBUMS
Jervis Campbell Good Grief! (independent)
Demon Hunter There Was A Light Here [Weapons MFG]
Roxanne Grace Try Again [DREAM]
Ellie Holcomb Far Country [Capitol CMG]
Malcom Christopher II Purpose and Plan (independent)
Q-Flo & IAMOPB The Flo Pack II [Syntax]
Sower Contemporary Christian Machine - EP (independent)
twenty one pilots Breach [Fueled By Ramen]
tylerhateslife MENTAL HEALTH [Syntax]
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints [Fair Trade]
Matthew West Don't Stop Praying (Deluxe Edition) [Story House]

SINGLES
Pat Barrett Hard Part Of A Dream - Single [Capitol CMG]
BASECAMP Under the Blood (feat. Knaladeus) - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson & Christine D'Clario No One Like The Lord [Nadie Como El Señor] (Live) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Dan Bremnes Find Yourself - Single [Curb]
Vince Gill Go Rest High On That Mountain (Extended Version) - Single [UMG]
Matt Hammitt Days God Gave - Single (independent)
I.A.N., Jordy Sam & OnBeatMusic GOD DID IT - Single [Syntax]
Amy Jay Margins - Single (independent)
Jeff Deyo & Lisa Nicole I Could Sing of Your Love Forever - Single [NWN]
Perry LaHaie Thy Kingdom Come - Single [Frontiers]
Myles Maestro Time Bomb (Until I'm Gone) - Single [Syntax]
Matt Redman Praise To The Most High (feat. Joe L Barnes) - Single [Integrity]
Lexly Nirvana Mood ft. Michael Luis - Single [Syntax]
Solachi Voz Test of Time - Single [Syntax]
The Undertaking! Forever Remember - Single (independent)
VOTA Magical - Single (independent)
Josh Wright Nobody Loves Like You - Single (independent)

Next Friday, September 19, 2025
ALBUMS
Sho Baraka Midnight of a Good Culture (independent)
Influence Music One True God (independent)
LO Worship Songs For the Anxious Heart [Integrity]
Mainstream Worship Dwelling Place [DREAM Worship]
Lauren Mann Heaven - EP (independent)
Mat & Savanna Just How Strong You Are (independent)
Joel Vaughn TBA [DREAM]
Zane Walls Dry Bones - EP [DREAM]
Zach Williams Jesus Loves [Provident]
Paul Wright GOD SONGS (independent)

SINGLES
Frankie Orella Like This - Single (independent)
John Waller & WallerCo & Eric Lee Brumley Surprise Me - Single [DREAM]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images