Tag Archive for Matthew 16:24

The Christ of Lent

2015-02-03 Devotional with Hymn No comments

from A Christ-centered Year

During Lent, Jesus is the Father’s Servant,
leading us on the path of obedience and trust.

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24, NASB)

When we take the truth to a dark and rebellious world,
we meet fierce opposition from the Evil One.
We are going against the strong current of our culture.
As we do, we are called to disregard all personal costs,
to let our entire life fall to the ground like a seed and die,
in order that eternal fruit will grow.

But Jesus does not drive us out into such self-sacrifice.
He leads us.
He goes with us.
He goes before us.
He demonstrates that such a life is
abundantly joyful,
permeated with
peace,
love, and
constant sufficiency.

During Lent, Jesus is the Father’s Servant,
leading us on the beautiful path of obedience and trust.
Let all who are looking for the very best of life
respond to His personal call, “Follow Me”.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: Come and Follow Me
Recording
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I Follow You

2014-11-11 Devotional with Hymn No comments

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, NASB) 

Jesus, these same words that you spoke to Your disciples so long ago,
You speak to me today.

You want me to know You.
You want to be close to me always.

But I must set aside my own plans and selfish interests.

I must be ready to follow You, even if it means discomfort and sacrifice.

Lord Jesus, I don’t know what’s best for me.
But I believe that You do.

I love You, and I trust You.

Lord Jesus, today
I set aside my plans and
follow You.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: In Your Steps
Recording
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The Crucified Life

2014-08-17 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Jesus said:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24, NIV)

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples on His way to Jerusalem to be crucified. Standing at a safe distance, I can understand what He was telling them. But what is He saying to me? And what is the Apostle Paul telling me when he says:

Count yourselves dead to sin. (Romans 6:11, NIV)

Or what about this?

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live. (Galatians 2:20, NIV)

I’m comfortable with the concepts as long as they’re aimed at somebody else. They make sense. But if my personal interests are being crucified, I get very uncertain. I can stand back and admire the beauty of these truths until I actually have to deny myself. When I have to lay aside my ego and my rights in a relationship and act only in the other person’s best interests, then suddenly unselfishness doesn’t seem so sensible.

Sometimes I see Jesus’ footsteps leading me to the Calvary, just when pursuing “the good life” seems so natural.

I feel the weight of the cross when I realize that I’m here to serve God, not my comfort and career.

I feel the nails in my hands when I ask what He wants me to do with His money and His time in this world of suffering and need.

I feel the spear pierce my side when I realize that my whole life—all my energies and every dream—are to glorify Him, not me.

When I honestly address these deep demands of discipleship, I choke. How can I even begin to measure up? Is this one of those guilt trips I have to either avoid or rationalize away?

But then I face my Savior, who is here with me now, and I realize it is His voice I hear and His heart that is speaking to me. I am reminded that like all His commands, these words are gifts of love. They are invitations to remove everything that separates Him and me, to enjoy a deeper fellowship with Him and a more complete rest in Him. And with Jesus speaking the words, I start to hear them differently.

Yes, I have to count myself dead to sin. But then I am alive to God in Christ Jesus, and the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:11, 23, NIV).

When I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20, NIV).

As I trust Him, Christ lives in me! I rejoice in His presence and eagerly listen for His voice. I start to taste His freedom from selfishness and begin bringing all my needs to Him.

As I turn my life-style over to Him, my love for Him grows warmer and more personal. I begin to release my fears and embrace Him with my whole heart.

As I embrace Him, I find He takes away, not my freedom, but my slavery to myself. He doesn’t take my dignity, but only my empty pride. He doesn’t lessen the excitement of life. He helps me enjoy more and more of the full life that He wants for me.

Jesus Christ offers each of us freedom and wholeness, if only we will lay down our lives daily and let Him live through us.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV)

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Hear His Call
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

Denying Myself

2014-02-04 Devotional No comments

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34, NIV)

“Jesus, I lay aside my self-concern.
Lead, and I will follow.”

It’s easy to pray this in the calm, quiet moments.

But pray this way when
God places a challenge of service before you and
calls you to step out in faith.

Pray this when a situation demands that
you give yourself beyond your comfort level.

Pray this when you face a difficult relationship and
emotions cry out for
escape or
revenge.

Pray this when you have to give up your rights
in order to serve someone else.

“Jesus, I lay aside my self-concern.
Lead, and I will follow.”