Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Daily Regimen

Luke 9:23
23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Did you know that "taking up the cross" or living a life pleasing to the Lord is a daily process? Jesus had a frank conversation with the disciples. He first reminded them of what was soon to happen to him, that he would be denied but then be restored. The conversation extended to show the disciples that they too would go through a denial but more of self-denial. Notice Jesus used the word "daily". Daily is just that, every day, not once a week. It is every day that if we call ourselves followers of Christ that we seek to do God's will instead of our own. For this is the meaning of self-denial. It means we are willing to be obedient to God even if it means not doing what "we think" is best. Only God has the full 360 degree view of our life. Only he knows all aspects so he knows whats coming before it's even in our peripheral view. Most of us, unfortunately, don't like the daily part. We attempt to follow maybe one day a week no matter what the belief or doctrine but what about the other six days? Are we willing put God's will above our own? Are we willing to put one foot in front of the other and take steps each day to live a life of obedience to him?  How do we start? Taking small steps each day means to pray, read and apply his word to our lives. To hear the word because as the apostle Paul said faith comes by hearing. It means inquiring of God daily to learn his will and line with him. Taking up the cross as a daily regimen isn't just about loving God and following him one day a week but 365 days/52 weeks a year.

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