[Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23
Taking up the cross to follow Christ is something that must happen daily in our lives as Christians, not just weekly. As important as regular participation in the life of a good church is (and it really is!), there is an even greater need to “abide” with Christ on a daily basis (see John 15:4). To “abide” means to “dwell with” someone or “remain beside them” It implies there is an ongoing relationship of love, communication and fellowship between you.
So my question to you is, “How are you abiding in Christ daily?” Or put another way, “What practical steps are you taking each day to listen to Christ speak through His word and respond to him with prayer?” (You can find a message on this topic at here ) More than anything, I hope to provoke you to consider how you might lean in a little more this week into your daily walk with Christ. As crazy as the world is getting, you need Him now more than ever. As things try to pull you apart, you need Him be at the center pulling everything together. Daily time in Word and Prayer are essential to re-orient you to Jesus as you consciously follow him, rather than just respond to the pressures of the world around you (Rom 12:1-2).
So what one step could you take this week to make getting with Jesus in Word and Prayer a higher priority in your life? What one thing could you be intentional about doing that will set Him more at the center of your life, and put these worldly detractions on the periphery. If you’re not doing so already, let me encourage you to open God’s word to a Psalm or Gospel, ask God to show you more of Jesus, then read with a view to seeing and responding to him with prayer, praise and repentance. Think about what you’ve read throughout the day, as you keep your eyes on Him every step of the way. Oh to know Him!
Seeking daily to dwell more and more in His Presence!
Pastor S. Scott