mylordmyfriend posted: " Matthew 16 verse 25: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wants to come with Me, he {they} must deny himself {themselves}, take up his {their} cross, and follow Me'." The following is the easy part, as some people believe they can just me" My Lord, My Friend
Matthew 16 verse 25: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wants to come with Me, he {they} must deny himself {themselves}, take up his {their} cross, and follow Me'."
The following is the easy part, as some people believe they can just meander along behind Him on life journey. Well Jesus didn't say that, He said 'If anyone wants to follow Me, they must deny themselves, {most People can handle that} but here is the big one: take up their cross and follow me'.
Effort is required, we must take up our cross, take up the journey in life He has for us. He never promised an easy journey, but He did promise He would be with us all the way.
Let read on further Mathew 16 verse 25: "For whoever wants to save his {their} life will lose it, but whoever loses his {their] life because of me will find it". Again Effort is required.
Lets turn to Matthew 8 verse 23 and 24: V23 "As He {Jesus} got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. V24 Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping".
Again effort was required. Some might say that not suppose to happen I am following Jesus, and everything is suppose to be rosy.
So Effort is required; The first effort required is to get to know Him more. Secondly we need to trust Him, Thirdly we need to follow Him, no matter where he leads us.
one of the most well known verse in The Bible is Psalms 23: verses 1 to 4:
V1: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing i lack"
V2: He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters".
V3: "He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His names sake".
V4: Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff– they comfort me".
Following Jesus is not a magic carpet ride, it requires Effort on our part. The staff referred to there is not staff {a group of His workers} that will make it easy for us, it is a shepherd crook to gently keep us on tract.
Following Our Lord and Our Friend takes effort on our part to step out. step out into the amazing journey He has for each one of us.
Effort to learn, Effort to grow, Effort to be the best for Him we can be. Come take up our cross with new vigor and follow Him.
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