ASHAMED OF HIM

ASHAMED OF HIM           Monday July 27, 2015

Text: Mark 8:34 – 38       Memory verse: v 38

Jesus called His followers and disciples to Himself. He did this to share great secret that will lead them to a successful Christian life. He did not do this when His antagonists were around because they will not understand rather they will oppose Him. Taking up the cross as Christ demanded is that Christians must make any sacrifice, submit to any self-denial, and encounter any difficulty which may be needful, in order to obey Christ's commands.

Family Bible Notes “If men would be owned of Christ in the Day of Judgment, they must be governed by His will, must not be afraid or ashamed to acknowledge Him before men, and must perseveringly obey His commands.” Are you actually ashamed of Christ? How many persons have you preached to since January this year? Do you show Christ to people in your office, shop, business centre, school, etc? Don’t let Jesus disown you on the last day.

Food for Thought: Are you ashamed of bearing the cross of Jesus?

Prayer: God, remove shame from me and grant me boldness to bear my cross

TAKE YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME

TAKE YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME    Wednesday June 17, 2015

Text: Mark 10:17 – 23                   Memory verse: v 21  

Proper understanding of God blessings upon our lives matters so much in the way we use them. What does your money, wealth, talent, gift, etc, mean to you? Here is an example of how Jesus Christ tried to redirect the orientation and understanding of this young rich man concerning his wealth. Jesus told this man to sell everything and give his money to the poor but this doesn’t mean that we should as well sell all our possessions. Most of His followers did not sell everything, although they used their possessions to serve others. The essence of Jesus saying this is to make us understand that we must not let our possessions or money keeps us from following Him. We must remove all barriers to serving Him fully.

Jesus lovingly broke through the young man’s pride with a challenge that answered the question of what the man lacked and exposed the barrier that could keep this young man out of the Kingdom of God: his love of money. Ironically, his attitude made him unable to keep the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). See also Matthew 22:36-40). The young man did not love God with his whole heart as he had presumed. In reality, the man’s wealth was his god, his idol. If he could not give it up, he would be violating the first commandment. 

Friend, what about you? Have you given up all that can hinder you from serving God?

Food for Thought: What barriers are keeping you from serving God?  

Prayer: God, expose any barrier that is keeping me from taking up my cross to serve you faithfully in Jesus name.