Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Rhythms- Matthew 10:37-39 – Lose It – Find It – Growing As Disciples
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-39 (NIV)
Take Up The Cross
What does it mean to take up your cross? That is a question that I have on my mind. What do you think it means? The second half of your statement gives me a clue, I think. Following you is the first part of taking up my cross. In order to take up your cross I need to lose my old life. I need to let go of my old thoughts and ways. I need to stop living for myself. I need to give up on my own selfish goals, purpose and plans. I needed to set them aside. They were pointless anyhow. My life was nothing but misdirected when I was living solely for myself. I was going nowhere fast. I was accomplishing nothing of any value. I certainly felt empty and without hope and meaning in life. But, you turned my life around. You drew me to yourself. You showed me your kindness, mercy and love. You made laying down my life easy. You made giving myself fully to you the desire of my heart. I came to you love because you first loved me. Yes, you did.
Now, I’m following you. Now, I want what you want. Now, I’m going where you guide me to do what you ask me. As I follow and serve you I will always be faced with choices. I will always be asked questions. What choices? What questions? Will I go even here or there for you? Will I do even this or that for you? How will you answer these questions? I will answer these questions with your help. Your love will help me. My love for you will help me. Yes, it will. I will keep on saying yes to you because you love me and I love you. As I keep on saying yes to you I will be continuing to pick up your cross and follow you. Yes, you will. As I keep on picking up your cross I will find and live out the life that you have called me to live. I will be doing what you ask. I will be bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name with my new life in you. Yes, you will.
Lord, I had goals. I had plans. I had purpose or so I thought. In reality my life was pointless and misdirected because I did not have you at the center of it. But, you rescued me. You are my Savior and Lord. I have lost my old life to find a totally new life in you. Amen
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Rhythms – Matthew 10-37-39 – Lose It – Find It – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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