Rev Michael Anokye: 15TH FEBRUARY 2024

THURSDAY- DAY 2

DENY YOURSELF AND TAKE UP THE CROSS-DAILY

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READING: Luke 9:22-25 “And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

REFLECTION:

Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for us so that we could have a chance at life again. This selfless act of kindness transformed both Christ and ourselves. In the same way, we must also give ourselves entirely and unconditionally to God. We should let go of our own ways to find new life in Christ. Today, let us all surrender ourselves to love God and each other wholeheartedly.

Application Question:

1.    What does it mean to ‘take up your cross daily’?

2.    What is your cross, and can you practically take it up and follow Jesus?

3.    Share how you practically do that in your daily life.

4.    How can you allow following Jesus to change the way you do things?

5.    Many people do not share the implications of following Jesus. What are some of the consequences of this silence?

LET US PRAY:

Lord Jesus, please give me the strength and the heart to sacrifice my preferences to meet another’s needs. Open my eyes to see the needs of the people around me. I will do my best to serve others as you have served me.

ACTION:

Our service to God must cost something, be it money, time, or evangelism, that can bring a change to the Olive Tree Church. Think about what you can do for the Olive Tree Church during the Lenten time.

What do you think? – reply below.