What does it really cost to follow Jesus?

I subscribe to the Worthy News Brief, and today's message was a
good reminder to me of what our focus should really be. And I
wonder, how focused am I? Would I really risk death to preach the
Gospel? Am I really giving my all to Jesus? What more can I do?

The men mentioned below all died for their faith in Jesus.
Contrast that with what we see from the popular "Christian"
preachers of today - the Joel Osteens, Rick Warrens, Robert
Schullers, Jim Bakers, and the like. Think about your own life.

Contrast what is below with what we (Americans) think of as
persecution. We think we're persecuted when some TV show makes fun
of us. We've got it easy - the apostles and disciples knew
persecution.

Anyway, think about it.

bIsh
______________________________________________________________
From Worthy News Brief, Feb. 8, 2006

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is
not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will
also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep
yours also.

According to traditional statements, Matthew suffered martyrdom by
being slain with a sword in a distant city of Ethiopia. Mark died in
Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets of that
city. Luke was hung upon an olive tree in Greece. John was put in a
caldron of boiling oil, but escaped death in a miraculous manner,
and was afterward branded at Patmos. Peter was crucified at Rome
with his head downward. James, the Greater, was beheaded at
Jerusalem. James, the Less, was thrown from a lofty pinnacle of the
temple, and then beaten to death with a club. Bartholomew was flayed
alive. Andrew was bound to a cross, while he preached to his
persecutors until he died. Thomas was run through the body with a
lance at Coromandel in the East Indies. Jude was shot to death with
arrows. Matthew was first stoned and then beheaded. Barnabas of the
Gentiles was stoned to death at Salonica. Paul, after various
tortures and persecutions, was finally beheaded in Rome by the
Emperor Nero.

We don't want to be the bearers of bad memories, but it's good to
realize how dedicated to the Lord the early believers were. They
weren't in it for the terrific single's fellowship, the excellent
children's program or good messages on Sunday morning. They weren't
in it for the comfortable new pews, the beautiful Christmas pageants
or the potluck dinners.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, James, James, Bartholomew, Andrew,
Thomas, Jude, Matthew, Barnabas, Paul and many, many others after
them -- they were in it for Jesus, our Messiah!