“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your
mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbour
as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12: 30-
“What is
the depth of my love to God? Does trials and tribulations reveal the real me? Do
I love Him more than anybody or anything else? Am I willing to leave it all on the
field when my love is tested?”
“This side of Paradise!”
“So be truly glad. There is
a wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests
and purifies gold – though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when
your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and
glory and honour on the day Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter
1: 6-
“Do I believe in the promises of God when everything looks impossible? Do
I really believe God in the midst of pain and suffering? Am I willing to leave it
all on the field when I don't understand His ways or workings in my life?”
“This side
of Paradise!”
“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with
a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his
prayers because of his deep reverence for God.”
“Do I really learn obedience travelling
paths of trials and tribulations? Am I willing to leave it all on the field and obey
God when He commands me to do what I do not like or what I wish to avoid?”
“This side
of Paradise!”
“Some time later, God tested Abraham's faith. “Abraham!” God called.
“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son – and go to the land
of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which
I will show you.” And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will
be blessed – all because you have obeyed me.”
“As for me, may I never boast about
anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest
in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died.”
Galatians 6:14.
“Do I still cling to the possessions and treasures of this world?
Have I laid myself on the altar and died to myself? Am I willing to leave it all
on the field and sacrifice everything for the Lord?
“This side of Paradise!”
“You must
have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think
of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared
in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death
on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him
the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 5-
“Do I have the mind
of Christ who humbled himself to take the form of a slave and became obedient even
to the death of the cross? Will such humility bring great honor from the Lord? Am
I willing to leave it all on the field so his power is made perfect in my weakness?”
2 Corinthians 12: 9.
“This side of Paradise!”
“Think back on those early days when
you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it
meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were
beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered
along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from
you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you
that will last forever.” Hebrews 10: 32-
“Will I endure until the end? How much
am I willing to endure for the Lord? Will I give up easily when trials come in following
the Lord? Am I willing to leave it all on the field and be strong in my commitment
to follow him?”
“This side of Paradise!”
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles
come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your
faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your
endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
James 1: 2-
“Am I willing to wait for God's perfect timing in all things? Does my
impatience create suffering in my life? Am I willing to leave it all on the field
during trials with patience in order to inherit His promises?”
“This side of Paradise!”
“To
the believer there is no middle ground. We must leave it all on the field in our
commitment to follow the Lord if we want His glory and power revealed “This side
of Paradise!”
Mike Cochtan
Leave it all on the Field