DCLM Higher Everyday 27 October 2024 — The Cross And The Crown
DCLM Higher Everyday 27 October 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Cross And The Crown
Topic: The Cross And The Crown
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
A story was told by a preacher in the Philippine Island on his encounter, passing through a large church where he spotted several small boys who were running about selling crosses. He heard them calling, “Crosses, cheap crosses for sale! Buy a cheap cross!” It is a tragic concern that many want a cheap cross – a faith that is easy, one that makes no demands. The cross of Christ is not a cheap cross.
Jesus, in articulating the standard for discipleship, gave a condition, “If any man,” implying the inclusion of all.
Also Read: Open Heaven 26 October 2024 – Bear Others’ Burdens
The condition demands not loving physical family, possessions and even ones life more than our Lord and His will. Christ likened the expense of commitment to the cross to “intending to build a tower” which requires counting the cost of repentance, self-denial and consistent holy living. All cross-bearers are admonished to be conscious that they have, laid up for them, crowns of righteousness, and eternal rewards in heaven if they continue till the end. Those who turn away from the Lord will be damned in hell for ever.
Quote: Continue till the end
Challenge: The Crown awaits all Cross bearers.
Prayer for today: Oh Lord, strengthen me to daily bear my cross.
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)
