Matthew 16:24-27

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come to His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done.

In an “instant” world, it’s hard to delay gratification, let alone totally deny ourselves. The concept of denying ourselves to the point of shouldering a cross and following Christ is a difficult concept in our part of the world. Our “first world” persecutions would be laughable to those who are persecuted regularly for their devotion to Christ. As the days get more evil, I feel certain we will have opportunities to deny ourselves and take up our cross. I pray I am ready and willing.

My prayer for the prodigal is the same. May they walk out of these uncertain and trying times in the pit, totally committed to the cause of Christ. So committed that they would never deny Him but would rather deny themselves. I pray they discover Him worth giving up the world for and in exchange find life.

Matthew 16:24-27

If ________ would come after me, he/she must deny himself and take up his/her cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his/her life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it. What good will it be for ________ if he/she gains the whole world, yet forfeits his/her soul? Or what can ________ give in exchange for his/her soul? For the Son of Man is going to come to His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward ________ according to what he/she has done.