Calvary Free Lutheran Church

Knowing the Savior and Making Him Known

Wednesday 7/9/2025 Devotional

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25
 
Lose my life? Give up my life? Surrender my life? Give up my own plans, aspirations, desires, and goals?
 
Jesus calls us to do the right thing; to determine to live our life His way and trust Him to fulfill His purpose. You’ll find that His plan was better all along and you are living the purpose-filled life for which you were created.
 
God’s plans aren’t always my plans, but His are always better. I could insist on my way but at the end I’d regret not getting to fulfill the purpose for which He created me.
 
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Matthew 16:26
 
I’ve often found the choice momentarily painful, giving up something I really wanted in order to follow Jesus and let things be done His way. But in the long run I’ve been so much happier, so glad that I chose to pick up my cross and follow Him.
 
Lord, keep me on track. Let me see clearly the choices before me even now, and give me the courage to surrender, to take up my cross, follow You, and so find my life in Your purpose. Amen.
 
Pastor Dan Giles
RapidWeaver Icon

Made in RapidWeaver