I just got home from our household meetingtonight. And the bible passage chosen for discussion and sharing wastaken from today's Gospel (Jn 12:24-26). I can't help but share thepower of today's Gospel for everyone currently serving the Lord. Allowme to copy in here the actual passage:

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains just a grain of wheat;

but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Whoever loves his life loses it,

and whoever hates his life in this world

will preserve it for eternal life.

Whoever serves me must follow me,

and where I am, there also will my servant be.

The Father will honor whoever serves me."

I'dlike to focus in on the bold phrase above. Unless a grain of wheatfalls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. I wouldlike to address specifically the leaders in CFC Bermuda. There are manytimes in our service where we struggle, we feel that it is getting toodifficult, maybe too painful to go on. We are tempted to think thatmaybe our efforts are useless and for naught. God reminds us today,that true service is to strain forward, dying for the Lord. We have tofall to the ground and die (not literally), then will the fruits beproduced in completion. Jesus himself had to physically die on thecross for oursake. So whenever we feel alone in service, whenever wefeel sad or defeated in service, let us be comforted by the fact thatJesus is watching us, smiling at us, telling us, "Thank you my childfor dying for me in service." Then will our burden be lifted up for weknow that the Father Himself will honor us. Then by the Power of theHoly Spirit, we will learn to serve cheerfully, happily, andgenerously. Whoever loves his earthly life too much, to the extent thatthey dont want toserve the Lord because they are already happy withtheir free time serving themselves, they will lose it in the next life.Whoever hates (not literally) his life, to the extent that his comfortzones are being disturbed, sacrifices have to be made, patience have tobe exercised for challenging moments, then in the end you preserve theeternal reward. Not because of our own merit but because this is thetrue expression of saying YES to the Lord and accepting hisunconditional offer of salvation.

May we all be fruitful in serving the Lord wherever we may be. May we always persever in our service to the Lord.

In Christ,

Jay