Today’s Encouragement is, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Matthew 10:39 NLT
You will find it –
God’s logic and reasoning are sometimes contrary to our way of thinking and often the complete opposite. Jesus stated clearly that the way we find our lives is to give up our lives for Him.
We are told never to give up in prayer (Luke 18:1), faith, or confidence in Jesus as our Savior. But in relation to ourselves, our will, and our self-reliance… we are to do exactly that! Give up! Even give up our lives!
“Take up your cross!” We respond, “Uh, No thanks! That sounds painful!” We know that He has already died on the cross for us, so we clearly aren’t expected to all die on a cross like He did! (Not that any of us ever could!) So, what could He mean?
Is it possible that He means we are to give up our lives, our will, our way, and our desires and place everything second to Jesus, second to God’s Will and His way?
Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42 NLT
We are called to give up our will, our control of our lives, to Him. This is giving up our lives. And by doing so, We find Life!
Father, we long to obey You, to do what we can, however imperfectly, to follow You. Laying down our lives seems so extreme, so final, and yet, in the light of Your Love, it is our only obedient choice.
My heart Is Yours
Kristian Stanfill
Today’s Encouragement 