Today’s Verse—Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus spoke to his disciples. He said, “If anyone
wants to follow me, he must say no to himself.
He must pick up his cross and follow me.”
Imagine that your dad and uncle own a restaurant. One day you’re helping them after school, wiping tables. Suddenly a man walks in. He tells your dad and uncle, “Follow me. I’ll make you more successful than you ever dreamed. You can learn to feed people without giving them food.”
Without a word to you or the other employees, your dad and uncle remove their aprons and leave with the man. You run outside and see the stranger enter the restaurant across the street. A father and two brothers own it. The brothers leave their father at the door and follow the stranger down the street.
Something very similar happened in the Bible. When Jesus saw Peter and Andrew with their fishing nets, He said to them, “Come. Follow me. I will make you fishers of people” (Matthew 4:19). Peter and Andrew left at once to follow Jesus.
Then Jesus called out to James and John, who were working on the family fishing boat. The men immediately left their father, Zebedee, and followed him.
True disciples of Jesus are willing to give up everything for Him and do whatever He asks. The joy, love, and peace He offers more than make up for anything we give up to serve Him.
Jesus said, “Has anyone left home or family for God’s kingdom? They will receive many times as much in this world. In the world to come they will live forever” (Luke 18:29–30).
Now that’s a reward worth everything!
Connie’s Corner
I get kind of scared thinking about what God might ask me to do. I mean, will He send me off to some dark, snake-infested rain forest to tell the natives about Jesus? Then I remember how much He loves me. After what Jesus did on the cross for me, I should probably be able to deal with a few snakes or piranha . . . Okay, maybe just the snakes. Besides, the Bible says I can do everything by His power (Philippians 4:13). And you know what? I believe it.
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In the Odyssey episode “The Secret Keys of Discipline” (album 20), Danny Schmidt wanted to play the piano in a talent show. But he kept skipping practice when his friends urged him to do other things. Danny learned to say no to his friends and yes to keeping his commitments. Then he was rewarded for his hard work.
God may ask you to do things you don’t want to do. If you learn to say no to self and yes to Him, you’ll receive joy, and He’ll receive the glory He deserves.
Daily Challenge
Pray about ways you can say no to yourself and yes to God this week. Ask Him to show you what good works you can do to serve Him and others. (Did you know you were created to do good works? See Ephesians 2:10.) Do at least one hard thing each day to feel the joy of pleasing Him.
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Discipleship Theme Memory Verse—Ephesians 5:1
You are the children that God dearly loves. So be just like him.