GOODNEWS DEVOTIONAL
TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017
LET HIM CARRY HIS CROSS DAILY
TEXT: Luke 9:23
And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me (KJV).
The first thing Jesus said about those who would follow him is that“… let him deny himself”, it means to be ready to pay the necessary sacrifice required to be a true follower. The second thing he said is that “let him take up his cross daily”. Cross represents life challenges, trials and needs. This means that, to be a successful follower of Christ, you must not permit what you are passing through to hinder you from following him. Jesus also confirms that even as His follower, there would not be a time you would not have a cross to carry, this is why He says, you must carry your cross daily. As a follower of Jesus, attacks would come in form of troubles, sickness, financial constraint, unemployment, failure in exams, family troubles and disappointments from friends and relations. Whatever comes your way, Jesus says you just have to carry it and follow Him. Do not say because of a challenge, you will withdraw your fellowship and commitment to God. No, if you do that, it means you are not a true follower. This is why in Luke 9:62 the bible says “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (KJV). In the same chapter, one of the fellows that wanted to follow Jesus, said in Luke 9:59-60 “… Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God (KJV). In the kingdom of God, to be useful, you must be rugged, and carrying the cross is the secret of getting to the throne. By the time Jesus met Peter, he was a failed fisherman, but nevertheless, he said “Master, we left all to follow you”. You see, if you want to follow Jesus very well, you do not need to bother yourself about your troubles but you must be bordered about His kingdom and with time, you would look for your troubles, you will not see them again. At the time, Abram met God, he was childless and poor, yet he did not say because of his troubles he would not follow him. Abraham carried his cross, went to where God sent him and at the end, what used to be his cross has become his testimony. Do not let the devil cheat you by telling you that you have issues to resolve therefore you can’t serve God, tell the devil, nevertheless I am going to serve God and watch my troubles fizzle away. Hallelujah.
CONFESSION
Father, I want to thank you because as I follow you, my cross would soon become my testimony in Jesus name.
