Take up your cross…follow Him…

8:34 Mark “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (NIV)

Jesus clearly lays out what people must do to be His disciples. For many, it was too much to ask. They fell away. For others, it was what they were willing to bear for the sake of following Jesus. How about you? Are you willing to ‘deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’ as Jesus asks? We know that following Him is not always easy. Yet, we also know that He is there helping us and encouraging us each step of the way. It leads us to live our best life possible… AND it is ALL worth it…now and eternally!

Please make known this verse to all who need it (which is pretty much everyone). Ask if they have ever followed someone closely and how that made them feel. Ask if they were able to do all the things that were demanded of them. Let them know that Jesus tells us that… “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30) (NIV). Tell them what it means to you to follow Jesus every day. Invite them to join you for an upcoming church services at Christmastime. Always Take Time For God’s Word© often each day as you follow someone today or at 8:34 am or pm as you remember this verse and the call of Jesus. Jesus knew the days ahead would be difficult. He wanted to prepare His followers. He wanted to make sure they were prepared to stay as His followers. This would be a good Reminder for your phone at 8:34 am. Copy the verse into that title. Set it to alert you every week at 8:34 am on Wednesdays. Soon, when the chime sounds, you will look at the time and you will KNOW that verse. Then, take a moment to Thank God for ALL the times that He is with you and that He protects you. We can never thank Him enough. He is deserving of all our thanks and praise!

We start our prayer list each month with heartfelt prayers for all the brave women and men in all branches of our military. We know how hard it is to be separated from loved ones during the holidays. We know it is a sacrifice by the whole family and we thank them for giving it willingly. Help out their families. Support them during deployments. Pack care boxes to send to the troops. Mail cards to them. Let them know that you care AND that you appreciate their selfless service. Be that blessing. Pass it on to others to encourage them to follow Jesus each day that they live!



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