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Taking Up Your Cross Daily – Beloved Women – July 3, 2023

READ

“Then he said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 NKJV

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT

If we played a game called, ‘How Christian are you?’, how would you fare? Would you be the type of Christian who serves God when it’s convenient, or the type of Christian whose life and decisions are subject to the will of God?

This is a hard but necessary question for believers. The journey to living for Christ starts with dying to self. Dying to self is not a one-time event, but a continuous act of subjecting every dream, desire, need and expectation to the will of God.

To take up our cross, is an intentional choice to choose God, even when everything within us rebels. It is a faith-filled act to live for God, even to the point of death.

We are not alone in this; our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is cheering us on and the Holy Spirit is here to help us through.

PRAY

Dear Holy Father, I lay my life once again on your heavenly altar. Lord, I apologize that rather than dying to self, I have been trying to do things my way. Lord, help me focus on your will and your plans for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

REFLECT

What are the things you have struggled to let go of? What is coming between you and Christ?

RELATED RESOURCE

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CONNECT

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© 2019 by Chioma Oparadike. All rights reserved.

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