I'm All In
By Roger Lipe
“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” – Luke 9:23
How many of your classmates would like to be a part of your team? How many of them are willing to go through the weeks and months of training to join you? Your answers to these questions are likely, “Lots of them,” and “Few of them.”
When you think of denying yourself to be a part of something great, like a sports team, what comes to mind? Are you sacrificing time, convenience, privilege, or relationships? Maybe it’s all those and more. Will the benefits be worth the cost of self-denial?
Jesus challenged His followers to go with Him, to be a part of His team. Doing so would require sacrifice, even embracing painful loss on a daily basis. How many of your friends would sign up to be on Jesus’ team?
Jesus is much more than a good teacher, a philosopher, or a religious leader; He’s the Creator of the universe and the Savior of each and every person who trusts Him. To know Christ Jesus is to be a part of a team that spans throughout history and stretches around the world. To be His teammate is worth whatever the cost.
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How many of your classmates would like to be a part of your team but won’t pay the price?
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What do you need to deny yourself to follow Jesus faithfully?
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How will you take up your cross and follow Christ today?
Matthew 10:38
Luke 9:24
Luke 9:62
Father, thank You for calling me to follow Jesus. I am committed to denying myself, to taking up His cross, and to following Him each day of my life. I pray and compete in Jesus’ name, amen.