The Five Spiritual Laws?!?

"When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, 'Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'"  (Mark 8:34)

This came to me as I read our text today:  If I want to be a follower of Jesus Christ, if I want to be, "born again," if I want to be saved, then I must do something which is abhorrent to most humans, "....deny...self...and follow...." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so desire to, "....deny [my]self...and follow..," only You!  Amen. 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....Read It All The Days of [Our Lives]"

"And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he many learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes..."  (Deuteronomy 17:19)

Our text is, "The Word of God," Jesus Christ, admonishing any king who would arise in Israel, concerning, "The Words of God."  It is also a life-saving/preserving Word to you and me.  As the Bible declares of Jesus' Words in an earlier passage, "They are your life."

Father, in Jesus' Name, it took me too long to have this written in my heart and mind, but thank You that You did.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....Every Word...Of The Lord"

"So He...fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord."  (Deuteronomy 8:3)

This is from one of my readings today; enough said.

Father, I live, "by," Your Words.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Slavery"

"Paul and Timothy bond-servants (slaves) of Christ Jesus...."  (Philippians 1:1, NASB)

This thought occurred to me today: Our salvation in Jesus Christ is not a deliverance from slavery.  It is a change of masters.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the song writer, "A free man I'll never be."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"THEREFORE...."

"Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus...."  (Hebrews 3:1)

If we keep doing today's text, we will be fine for the rest of our lives.  Then, after this life, we Followers of Jesus Christ will be fine, because we will just continue to, "....Consider...Christ Jesus."

Father, in Jesus' Name, when I consider Jesus, I am considering Holy Spirit and You, "God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2