DCLM Higher Everyday 18 November 2024 — The Cross and Cross Bearing
DCLM Higher Everyday 18 November 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Cross and Cross Bearing
Topic: The Cross and Cross Bearing
Text: Luke 14:26-33
26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Key Verse: “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).
Message
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Christianity has always insisted that the cross we bear precedes the crown we wear.” Cross bearing refers to going through all the challenges that confront believers daily because of their love for Christ without complaining. Many youths who have decided to follow Jesus are persecuted by their family members, and in some cases, are sent out of the family house. Believers are encouraged to make up their minds to never look back but firmly hold on to their faith and convictions.
Also Read: Higher Everyday 17 November 2024 – The All-Powerful God
No youth can be said to be Christ’s disciple who still lives in sin. In order to be saved, you have to go to the Cross to cancel all your sins because it is on the Cross that Jesus died. Your glory, ambitions, achievement, and natural abilities must be nailed to the Cross. All that matters to you must be the Cross of Christ. All Christian youths who steadfastly hold on to their faith and convictions despite the various temptations, persecutions, and afflictions they face, will certainly receive their rewards from the Lord. Remember, no cross, no crown.
Quote: Never look back
Challenge: Never give up.
Prayer for today: Lord, give me the grace to bear the cross till the end.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
