"And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it? . . ." (Luke 14:27-28)
TODAY'S WORD , Evangelist John Wesley said, "Give me a hundred men who love God with all of their hearts and fear nothing but sin, and I will move the world." I think that is still true today. God is looking for men and women who will love Him more than anyone or anything else.
God will bring tests into our lives to find out if we are really His disciples, if we are really going to stand tough. It's easy to mouth the concepts we find in Scripture. It's easy to say we believe those things. But what about when we really need to walk by faith and not by sight or by feeling? What about when we need to really trust the Lord? God will bring pop quizzes into our lives.
I remember when I was in school and my heart would always sink when the teacher would stand up and say, "We are going to have a pop quiz today. I didn't tell you it was coming, but get out a piece of paper, because I am going to test you."
God tests us too. So if you are looking for a life of ease with no conflict or sacrifice, then the life of a disciple is not for you. But let me also add that if you don't want to be a disciple, then you don't want to be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Because, as I have often pointed out, this is normal Christian living. And anything short of this is abnormal.
A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY Dear Lord, as I come before you this morning, my spirit is filled with thanks that you have given me a life and filled it with meaning. Knowing that you have a purpose for me is such a gift as I cannot express; even when the world or my own thoughts fill me with feelings of worthlessness, I can turn to you and know, fully certain, that you are in charge and have filled my existence with meaning and purpose I cannot fully understand. Lord Christ, you promised that if we love you and obey your teaching, you and the Father will make your home with us; I declare my love for you; and there is nothing I want more than to have you live with me, present in my life. Help me to follow your teaching in every way; for you have given us grace, that by your death and resurrection, we may be perfect before you. Accept my love and be with me, today and always, I pray; not by my merit, but by your grace, oh Christ, oh one true God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen. |
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