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
Give Up Your Life –
In the preceding verses, he explained that we must love Him even more than our family! “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10:37 NLT
This is shocking to our societal norms! We consider family ties more sacred than any other relationships! Yet, this is Jesus speaking, and He is the Truth!
Some family relationships are wonderful, loving, and kind; some are toxic and filled with hatred and abuse. Some have left family behind (all types) in order to follow Christ, but He doesn’t require abandonment… He requires that we give up our lives, and that He is first in our hearts, before even our family. This doesn’t erase family relationships or obligations, but does establish a clear hierarchy of our relationships.
God must be first in all things, including our relationships and priorities, and especially in our hearts. This is not because He is egotistical, but because He is Good; He is our Master and King.
Father God, help us choose to make You our Master, Lord, and King and place You above everything in our hearts. We extend all our love, our hearts, our minds, and our bodies to You and You alone. Help us to live this way, Father, to honor You first in every aspect of our lives.
God and God Alone
Steve Green
Today’s Encouragement 