God honors a consistent life of obedience and faithfulness. From
the time of our salvation till we go to heaven we must keep our focus vertical
- on Him always. Our marching orders all the same. Jesus said in Luke 9:23-26 “Whoever
wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and
follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but
whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for
someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever
is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he
comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Three truths we must
remember to follow Christ:
The DESIRE to Follow (v.23)
Following Jesus requires a deeper knowledge of God, a deeper
desire to pray before acting, and a more serious reflection about the Christ
found in Scripture. (“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide
you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he
hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13)
The DENIAL of Self (vv.24-26)
To follow Christ means to renounce one’s will and ways
By living for ourselves we die, by dying to ourselves we
live. (Born twice die once)
The DAILY Walk
(v.23)
Every new idea should be born of prayer, quiet reflection, and
careful consideration of the steps and thoughts and heart of Jesus. (Daily
dying to self)
“Go and preach the Gospel, and if you must, use
words.”- St Francis
Be consistent in your walk with Jesus. Put a smile on God's
face.