We’ve pretty much established that begging and pleading with God for a much-needed healing is an exercise in futility, right? And we know that it’s not our works that bring the coveted reward.

We’ve come to realize that hearing God – through His Word (in the Bible) and through His Holy Spirit (indwelling us) – is very greatly to be desired. But how can we do so with any degree of consistency? And what about that nagging need?

I want to try to relate something that was put in my spirit which could easily be misconstrued, so please give me a little leeway! I’m feeling a profound sense of gratitude for Peter, John and Paul right now. I know I’m not a baby Christian anymore when I say that I don’t wonder how they, or anyone else, could love Jesus more than their very lives: from deep within the recesses of my soul I can say “I get it!”

When spreading the gospel and the kingdom are more important than anything the world would hurl at us – even from our own doctor’s report, when hearing and adhering to His Word thrills us more than our very life in this body, when we no longer give a darn about whatever we thought was an absolute necessity and we feel that nothing of this life means anything anymore, then are we ready to LOSE THIS LIFE.

The world will try to throw you a curve ball by saying that it’s over and you’re not ready to step into a new realm of Spiritual living and blessedness. Paul, John and Peter – and scores of other followers of Jesus – were not fazed by these worldly pursuits in their, or anyone else’s minds – so steadfastly focused were they on the Lord. They seemed to know that when you aren’t looking for ANY human reward whatsoever, that’s when life really begins.