I didn’t have the advantage of growing up in church. So, understanding what it means to follow Jesus was foreign to me for a good part of my life. Never was he more clear than when He told the disciples one of the pre-requisites is to die to self daily. The cross was brutal instrument of death. Jesus references it in a stunning declaration to those already following Him to a degree- His disciples. But, it takes a complete commitment to really enter the kingdom of God. You may ask, what or where is the kingdom of God? It is anywhere God is king! It is wherever Jesus is and reigns,… within our hearts, in heaven, and soon on earth!
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, this is the one who will save it. For what good does it do a person if he gains the whole world, but loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels. But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-27 NASB
When did I decide to give up my life and follow Him? What will that look like today? When He returns, will He be proud to call me His own?
God, as this day begins- Your invisible kingdom is becoming visible here on earth. What part may I plan today? I am deciding to die to self today and open up to Your leading and guiding. May I be empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to accomplish what You desire as You show me what its like to live in the Kingdom of God.
