THE DISCIPLE OF JESUS

THE DISCIPLE OF JESUS

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” —Mark 8:34-38

            To go after Jesus as one of His disciples entails requirements:

• One who wants to be His disciple must deny himself
• One who wants to be His disciple must take up his cross
• One who wants to be His disciple must follow Him
• One who wants to be His disciple must lose his life for Jesus
• One who wants to be His disciple must lose his life for the gospel
• One who wants to be His disciple must not be ashamed of Jesus
• One who wants to be His disciple must not be ashamed of Jesus’ Words

Will I deny my will to follow His will or will I just do what I want to do? When was the last time you did not do what you wanted to do but intentionally did what the Lord would have you do?

Will you take up the cross; run the race He has marked out for you regardless of what it might include? He has purposeful work for you to do. That does not mean everything will go smoothly or that it will not involve pain and sorry.

Will you follow Jesus wherever He determines for you to go?   This will undoubtedly not be what you fully expect. It will probably surely not be the script you would write. You might not even be thinking in the direction or heading in the direction He wants you to go. Life could get very interesting. But His way is the best way!

Will you trust Him totally for the life He wants you to live?   This may include putting all your dreams and expectations on the shelf and take off the shelf the plans He has for you. Am I willing to shelve my plans for His plans? Am I willing to die to my plans for His plans? His are the best!

Will the gospel be top priority in my life? Will I share the gospel, proclaim the gospel in any and every form that I can? Is this the desire I have? Does this bring me joy? This is His will for me. May I be faithful it His will!

Will I be ashamed of Jesus? Or, will I proudly and happily share Him with others? May I be intentionally about this. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.

Will I be ashamed of Jesus’ Words? The world will not accept His word. The world thinks His word is foolishness. Will you take His word proudly to those who desperately need to hear it? Oh, may we do so!

Dear Father on High may I be a faithful follower of Jesus.   May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son, Jesus. So be it!        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsYyuK1w3q0