Luke 9:23 – 24 says this: Then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”

This verse spoke to me in a different way than it ever has in the past (which is why it is the LIVING WORD – amen). When Christ uses the word “daily,” I believe He is reminding us that the action of following Christ is an ongoing and purposeful decision.  We are to be intentional with our walk with Him and intentional with our faith, words, choices and actions.

So often people believe “I did my part when I asked Christ into my heart.” And they truly believe that was their part in taking up their cross. NO! God wants a daily relationship with us. He wants us to daily remember that we are His child and that we are alive because of Him. Our act of worship and love and thanksgiving should be a daily act.

But I believe the other part of this verse is the word “cross.” The cross was an act of complete and pure love and sacrifice. Christ is reminding us that in this life there will be pain, heartache, fear and sacrifice. Often times people turn away from God in times of pain and hardship believing there can’t really be a God if He would allow such horror and pain. NO! God tells us clearly that satan is the prince of this world and that there will be pain and hardship in this life.

Just because we have a relationship with Christ does not exempt us from hardship, as it did not exempt Christ from hardship. But Christ promises to be with us in and through the hardship and often times we come out so much stronger and with a better understanding of our loving God – stay focused on Him in your hardship.

Just as Jesus lived with purpose and intent about being the light of this world – daily, so must we. Just as Jesus lived a life of pure love and sacrifice in obedience to God the Father – daily, so must we. When we die to this world and self and we begin to live for the eternal, for God – daily, we will then be truly alive!!!

Examine your life right now…what are you truly living for? What is the main focus and drive behind your daily choices – for your life? Are you living for the things of this world or for the eternal? Are you taking up your cross – daily?

Living for the things of this world are temporary at best. Look around the room you’re in – when you are out today, look around your city. Everything eventually breaks, falls apart, dies – nothing of this world is lasting.

The “riches” of this world are fleeting – but life in Christ is forever. More precious than gold and silver is the love and life of Jesus Christ. Live for the everlasting and don’t die for things that are dying right along with you….Live for Christ.