>>>
Matthew 10:39 - Living for Jesus or for Self?

Matthew 10:39 (NKJV) He who finds his life 
will lose it, and he who loses his life for My 
sake will find it. 

Matthew 10:39 (MSG) If your first concern is 
to look after yourself, you'll never find 
yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to 
me, you'll find both yourself and me.  

INTRODUCTION

Here is a paradox - a seemingly 
contradictory statement. But Jesus wasn't just playing 
with words. He knew that real life - life in the 
Spirit on earth, life forever in heaven - comes 
only when people surrender everything to Him. "I 
am the way, the truth, and the life," Jesus 
said (John 14:6). His new life (1 Corinthians 
15:22) is better than anything we could lose! 
[Daily Bible Promise Book By Barbour Publishing] 

DEVOTIONAL PEARL

   If you go to a doctor because youre 
having unusual aches or pains or some other issue, 
the doctor may have to give you bad news 
initially. He or she may have to tell you there is a 
very serious problem and that you need surgery or 
some type of treatment. You dont like to hear 
that, but its the prescribed course to help 
change your condition. 
   In the same way, God will tell us the 
truth about ourselves: Were sinners, and we 
need a Savior. Once we accept that, we can go 
from sadness to happiness. We discover that the 
way to find life is by committing our lives to 
God. 
   This is what Jesus meant when He said, 
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who 
loses his life for My sake will find it 
(Matthew 10:39 NKJV). We win by losing. The way up is 
down. The way to happiness is sadness. 
   Jesus said, Blessed are those who 
mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4 
NKJV). The word blessed used here could be 
translated happy. Jesus was effectively saying, 
Happy are the unhappy. Or another way to put 
it, Happy are the unhappy, because one day 
they will be happy. How? By mourning over our 
sin. We see ourselves for who we are. 
   We have our dreams and aspirations, and 
that is all good. But heres my advice to you, 
especially if you are young. Commit your life to God, 
and understand that His plan for you is better 
than your plan for yourself. He may say no to 
this and no to that. But what God will say yes to 
later is so much better. And as the years pass, 
you will look back on your life and give thanks 
to Him. [By Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE


http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060206-1034.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657