And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34

From the mid 70’s through the mid 80’s A well known credit card company had an advertising slogan that conveyed the benefits of membership. The campaign had celebrities and people of notoriety who would ask “Do you know me?” and they would explain who they were and then they would discuss how they never received very good service, until they took out this particular credit card. The card then appeared on the screen and the celebrities name printed on the card as we watched. Celebrities such as Mel Blanc (Voice of Bugs Bunny), Jim Henson (creator of the muppets), Ella Fitzgerald ( jazz great) and Stephen King (Famous fiction writer) appeared in these commercials. The Commercial was designed to convey that being a holder of this particular credit card (which you had to pay a fee for “membership” to even hold) associated the card holder, with a distinguished group of people. Being a member of the same group as these celebrities were the “Benefits of membership”.

As followers of Jesus Christ we too, are associated with a distinguished group of people. People like John Wayne, Chris Pratt, Chuck Norris, Jane Fonda and Tim Tebow, are all followers of Jesus Christ. But the most distinguished person in our group is Jesus Christ Himself. And, the benefits of our membership are outline by Jesus, in the book of John.

• Whoever believes in Jesus will never hunger or thirst for Him. They will never be without Him (Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  John 6:35).
• Whoever believes in Him, will (because of the Holy Spirit) be filled with living water (His Spirit) and poured out on those who need Him (“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within me.” John 7:38).
• Whoever believes in Him, although we may die in this world, will live for eternity. (Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, John 11:25).
• Whoever believes in Him will not remain in sin and darkness (I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness & If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. John 12:46-47).

By trusting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, we join a non-exclusive club that He desires everyone would join. In fact, He died for the whole world and desires that none should perish. Once we are members, there is nothing that can cancel that membership (I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28). As members we are able, and encouraged to, reveal Him to others so that they too will become members. And, we will not only be in the light (Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12) we will have the light (Jesus). We also get an all expense paid one way trip to paradise ; ).

Now those are pretty awesome “Benefits of Membership”.

I pray that we would be so filled with gratitude for all that Jesus has done and continues to do for us that we would praise and glorify Him to all that we come into contact with. I pray that we would realize, in a much deeper way, how desperately those who don’t know Jesus, need Him. I pray that we would encourage membership in Jesus’ group, by living out and telling those around us of the “Benefits of Membership” and that by doing so, we would not only please our Heavenly Father, but would also make an eternal impact on His kingdom.

If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. Jesus wants you to join, but not some exclusive club or group, He wants you to join His family (for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Galatians 3:26). He offers you a kinship with Him, forgiveness, peace, comfort, joy, hope and a future. Please pray this prayer, the “Benefits of Membership” are incredible!

Once you pray this prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I would be honored to be in prayer for you.

Luv Ya!