Luke 17:10 AMP-So you too, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants [undeserving of praise or a reward, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have merely done what we ought to do.’”

Here Jesus is telling us as Christians that when we obey what The LORD has commanded us in His Word that we are not to expect anything in return.

Yet what do we do?  We actually believe that when we are obedient that God owes us something.  The truth is the debt that Jesus paid for us on The Cross at Calvary can never be repaid.  It’s God’s Grace and it’s a free gift that He's​ given us, not something we deserve by any stretch of the imagination.  And while His Grace is free to us, it cost Jesus His life, a first time ever severing of His Oneness with God The Father, and all for nothing He did, but for everything all of us have done and will do.

And let’s not forget what we do deserve as the wicked, nasty sinners that we ALL as human beings are, eternity in hell, separated from God and His love forever!  It is only by God’s Mercy that we don’t get what we deserve and instead God The Father chose to send Jesus Christ His ONLY Son to suffer and die in our place!

And then we get to what Jesus said in this verse.  Keep in mind if this wasn’t going to be an issue for us then He wouldn’t have to tell us!  When we’re doing things for The LORD in order to get things for ourselves, then we are NOT doing them for the right reasons.  Seriously, Jesus died for us and we think He stills owes us something more?

We have been saved to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do as believers.  (Ephesians 2:10)  It is The Holy Spirit working in and through us and nothing that we can do ourselves.  We need to stop expecting and instead be obedient and watch and see what He does according to His will and not ours!  Even though we don't deserve it, heaven will be our reward and should be more than enough for us!  If God chooses to bless us with something else along the way, that is up to Him and has nothing to do with us and anything that we do!  Everything we have on this earth, including life itself, no matter how bad we believe it to be, is a blessing from The LORD and we need to keep that in mind.

Here’s what we need to do:

Matthew 22:37-38 AMP-And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment.

So first and foremost, love The LORD God!

John 14:15 AMP-“If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments. 

Notice the original language wasn’t just love, but if you really love Jesus you will obey what He said.  This is NOT lip service!  I don’t see any disclaimers here so this applies to anyone who is a Christian and we’re to obey EVERYTHING that The LORD has told us in His Word to do!

Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP-Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. [6] In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. 

We need to quit trying to figure it out and instead just be faithful to what The LORD has called us to do.  God created us and everything around us.  Once we truly acknowledge this fact and allow Him to direct our life, He will make our path clear and not allow ANYTHING to hinder what He wants us to do! 

John 16:33 AMP-I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] 

Following Jesus will not be easy, Jesus promises us that!  People will come against the truth and will hate us, His messenger,s because of it.  Jesus tells us here to not be swayed, He’s overcome the world!

Matthew 10:16,22 AMP-“Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda]. [22] And you will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but it is the one who has patiently persevered and endured to the end who will be saved. 

We need to remember that we’re not to have any agenda that serves ourselves, makes us better than others, etc and instead be a servant to all.  We need to die to our fleshly desires and be willing to suffer, even to the point of death, remaining faithful as we follow and obey Jesus until the end of our lives on this earth.  It is not only the only reason to live for, it is also the only reason to die for!

Remember that though we acknowledged Jesus’ death yesterday on Good Friday, that the grave couldn’t hold Him.  His power is greater than sin and eternal death!  Tomorrow we celebrate Jesus’ victory over satan and the evil in this world when the power Jesus has over sin and eternal death was manifested in His Resurrection from the dead! His power has been given to those of us who believe so that we too can rise above the enemy and not fall into sin when we’re tempted and then when we leave this earth we can live forever with The LORD in heaven!

HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, prayer requests, etc.  We'd love to pray with and for you and to the best of our ability answer any questions you may have soley using God's Word!

Love y’all and LORD Bless,

Curt & Mary Jo