Welcome to Faith for Daily Living

The Word in Your World

We hope that this contact will be the beginning of an ongoing relationship, whether through the printed word, the internet, via cellphone, or by e‐mail. By contacting us you become part of a world‐wide community of people who seek daily help from God in the running of their lives and understanding the Christian faith. The printed form of Faith for Daily Living is read by people in eighty countries. Some are looking for help, others for guidance, yet others for comfort and some for instruction. God has touched many people through its ministry. He may well meet you as well.
 
Whatever your reason for this contact we say, "God bless you".

DENYING SELF

Posted on

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.”       Matthew 16:24 NIV

 

The idea here is that we are done with ourselves. Done with our ways. Done with what pleases us. Our thoughts, our ambitions, and our desires all take second place to Jesus. We have surrendered our will to Jesus. What matters now is not ourselves, because we have denied ourself. What matters now is the One whom we follow. Those who are following Jesus are those who have denied themselves. Those who still are clinging to their own agenda for life aren’t following Jesus. Taking up our cross. This doesn’t mean much to us today. But, it is certain that the disciples would have understood what this meant. The cross was an instrument of torture and execution. When Jesus used the picture of taking up the cross, many images passed through their minds. Suffering was included. Pain was included. Difficulty was included. Hardship was included. Ridicule was included. Abuse was included. Paul encouraged the churches to continue in the faith, saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Following Jesus means the path of obedience. We cannot have a Lord that we do not obey. It doesn’t work. It is like swimming without getting wet. It is like living without breathing. It is impossible. To have a “Lord” means that we have a master whom we will obey. God’s call down through the ages has always been the same: He desires an obedient people. Jesus does not trick us into following Him, He has spelt out the conditions clearly.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord Jesus, thank You for spelling out the conditions of following You.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord Jesus, thank You for not trying to trick us into following You, You have spelt out the conditions very clearly. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 4:12-25

 

LISTEN TO TODAY’S DEVOTION

If you received our daily emails, please listen to today’s devotion on our website www.ffdl.co.za
On Facebook follow this link to start listening.


BibleGateway.com
Lookup a word, verse or passage from the Bible

Apply to Faith For Daily Living

Faith for Daily Living is available in a variety formats and will be sent to anyone who would like to apply.

 

There is no subscription rate and the expenses involved are met from the voluntary donations of our readers.

Keep the book open

Your donations are appreciated and every donation is acknowledged.

(Note that should you have multiple beneficiaries the funds raised will be split between them. You may have up to a maximum of three beneficiaries.)