Words of Encouragement
September - 25 - 2005
Offering ourselves to God isn't easy because it means we must first die to our own selfish will. Like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, we face our own cross and must cry out, "Not my will, dear Father, but your will be done!"
The Scripture reading is from Luke 9:23-24.
23 And he said unto all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."Let us go to our heavenly Father in prayer.
Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus as our Savior. Lord Jesus, we want to follow you. We don't want it to be halfhearted or hypocritical. We want your life to be seen in us. So please, gently show us the areas where our hearts need to be softened and our characters need to be shaped by the Spirit so that we can more perfectly reflect your glory, grace, and character to those around us.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.