Morning by Morning, March 11, 2025 - “Let Him Deny Himself, and Take Up His Cross, and Follow Me” Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind, Your desires in my heart, Your words in my mouth, as I seek to follow You today. ... “When (Jesus) had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels’” (Mark 8:34-38). For us to “take up (our) cross and follow (You)” is a day-by-day choice. It’s part of what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). And when he declared, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). It’s part of what the Apostle Peter was expressing when he taught, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that (we) should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). So many of the choices set before us day-by-day are so hard, even gut-wrenching at times. Some seem easier like choices between good and evil, right and wrong, walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh. Others are much harder, requiring much more discernment, prayer, humility, and faith. Like choices between what’s best and what’s ok, what’s expedient for the moment and what’s lasting and eternal, even what’s love and what’s tough love. So we desperately need Your guidance, Your wisdom, Your way. To humble ourselves and seek Your face and pray. To be willing to be led by Your Spirit no matter how hard the choices. To trust Your Word that You will “Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me” (Psalm 119:133). To trust Your Word that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Lead me Spirit of God in the choices I make today. I pray for wisdom and guidance, taking You at Your Word to provide it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5-6). By the power of Your grace, I’m humbly, desperately depending upon You and faithfully trusting You to obediently take up my cross and follow You in the choices and challenges set before me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be empowered by the grace of God to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him in your choices today, in Jesus'name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
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Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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