Til the Day I Die: A 6-Day Devotional With Fellowship CreativeSample

I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS (NOTHING BUT JESUS)

Madison Cleveland

When you look at the world we live in today, you can quickly realize that everyone has different focuses and priorities. Some people set the standard for their child to get into an Ivy League college, while some will move to Hollywood with high hopes of becoming a world-renowned movie star. Others will work out 3 times a day, 7 days a week, placing all their stock in their physical appearance.

While none of the pursuits listed above are bad, immoral, or unjust, they won’t last forever. However, I do know WHO will last forever… His name is Jesus.

In the book of Philippians, Paul writes to share with the church in Philippi that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone. It says in the New Living Translation of Philippians 3:8-9a,

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him.”

In this song, the first lyric says, “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold.” Jesus’ disciple Matthew talks about not storing your treasures on Earth, but in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT). Jesus wants to remind us that we can’t take our prized possessions with us to Heaven, so why cling to them now? Cling on to Jesus!

In the Gospel of Matthew, he continues to write not only to those whose eyes are set on treasures of this world but also to those whose desires are recognition and worldly applause. Matthew 16:26a (NLT) says, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” We all strive to be more and to do more, but what is the point when we put Jesus on the back burner? Invite Him to be the center of all you do. He was, He is, and is to come.

When it’s all said and done, nothing matters, lasts forever, or can sustain as Jesus can.

Today, I encourage you to look to Jesus. Set your thoughts and your hearts, and fix your eyes on the one whose love will last forever. Put Jesus first in your life because nothing good in this world lasts forever – nothing but Jesus.