This blog post discusses three crucial steps to follow God: denying oneself, picking up one's cross, and following Jesus. It emphasizes the importance of being mindful of God's presence, the necessity of personal sacrifice, and the transformative power of faith in overcoming life's challenges.
Good morning! Today, we celebrate the day that the Lord has made, and we rejoice in His goodness. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to everyone at TGC for your overwhelming support during my family's time of loss. Your love and kindness mean the world to me, and I appreciate each of you for the role you play in my life.
As I reflect on our daily lives, I am reminded of a recent experience. I witnessed a car speeding, only to have a police officer remind the driver to slow down. This incident made me think about how we often forget that God is always watching us. Just as the driver slowed down when the police were present, we too should take moments to slow down and be mindful of God's presence in our lives.
We should regularly pause to seek God's face, bask in His presence, and worship Him. God desires our praise and worship, and it is in these moments that we truly connect with Him.
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus tells His disciples, "If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." This statement is not just for the disciples; it applies to everyone who wishes to follow Christ. Let's break down these three essential steps:
Denying oneself is perhaps the most challenging step. It requires us to set aside our desires, pride, and earthly perspectives. We often allow our feelings to dictate our actions, but Jesus calls us to rise above our emotions and focus on His purpose for our lives.
When we deny ourselves, we open ourselves up to God's will, which may involve suffering and challenges. However, it is through these trials that we grow and learn to rely on God's strength.
Picking up our cross means taking responsibility for our burdens and struggles. Each of us carries issues, insecurities, and pain, but Jesus invites us to bring these to Him. He assures us that He has already borne our sins and struggles on the cross. By following Him, we can find healing and strength.
This step also involves recognizing that following Jesus may lead us to difficult places. Just as Jesus faced suffering, we too may encounter hardships. However, we must remember that these challenges are part of our journey toward spiritual growth and fulfillment.
Following Jesus is an active commitment. It means aligning our lives with His teachings and example. We must choose to trust Him, even when the path is unclear or difficult. Jesus promised that if we follow Him, we will find life and purpose.
In our pursuit of God, we must be vigilant against distractions and negative influences. We should focus on His word and allow it to guide our actions and decisions.
As we navigate through life, we must remember that we are not alone. God is always present, watching over us, and guiding us. By denying ourselves, picking up our crosses, and following Him, we can experience the fullness of life that He promises.
Let us commit to these three essential steps and encourage one another in our faith journeys. Together, we can overcome the challenges we face and fulfill the divine purpose God has for each of us.
Let us pray for strength and wisdom as we strive to live according to His will. Amen.
