Daily Companion  | 10 October

IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS

If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honour. - John 12:26

Frank Huston got converted after getting married at age 23. His life became meaningful and successful starting with a career in teaching, as a pastor at a district church, and becoming a chaplain in the US Army. From his childhood, Frank had been playing musical instruments, following in his musically inclined parents' footsteps. He was inspired to write "It Pays to Serve Jesus" in April 1909, while he was conducting the music for Evangelist W. S. Buchanan in a series of services being conducted in Providence Christian Church, Scranton, Philadephia, USA. On returning to his Indianapolis home after the crusade, the song became an answer to Huston's 82-year friend M. E. Mick, as testimony of how their lives both had been blessed by their faith in Christ Jesus.

The journey of faith may sometimes become tortuous and strenuous. It requires courage and bravery to end well. It means showing absolute resoluteness. To “stand fast in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1), despite all insults, discouragement, disappointments, betrayals and all sorts that may attempt to push you off the edge. But you must stand. You must “hold that fast which thou hast, that no man taketh thy crown” (Revelation 3:11). Because as the Lord said, only “he who overcomes shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life” (Revelation 3:5). 

Dear friend, it pays to serve Jesus. ”He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Refuse to be lured out of your rightful seat in the kingdom. There is a continuous threat and conspiracy against your citizenship of the kingdom. You must not let satan win. You have gone too far to slide back to the old sinful way. Like Frank and his old friend Mick, you have reasons to share great testimonies of the faithfulness of God in your old age too. You are nearer to the crown than when you began.

Today’s Recite: "Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." -  Luke 18:29-30 (KJV) 

Today’s Morning Prayers:  Heavenly Father I worship for a new day of hope and strength. I pray for a courageous heart to serve You. Grant me Your grace to stand firm and immovable in this pilgrim race in Jesus mighty name. Amen!

Today’s Hymn: IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS

Today’s ReadMe:  Luke 1 - 3