I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
The Price of Following Jesus
We know from Scripture that salvation is a free gift that Jesus gives us when we believe in Him. But just because our salvation is free—that doesn’t mean the rest of our lives with Jesus will cost us nothing as well.
Jesus says that following Him will cost us everything. This doesn’t mean that we have to earn our salvation or work for acceptance, but it does mean that following Jesus requires everything that we have.
When we become disciples of Jesus, we follow in His footsteps. We let Jesus teach and guide us. If we are serious about this, then our lives will become patterned after His life. This means that just as Jesus took up a cross and gave up everything He had, by following Jesus we must also do the same.
So what does it mean to take up a cross and follow Jesus? It means that we should be ready to give up everything for the sake of Jesus. It means denying ourselves by surrendering our own desires and plans for God’s desires and plans. Rather than focusing on ourselves, we center our lives around God’s mission in the world: loving Him and loving others as we make disciples.
Taking up one’s cross isn’t easy, but there is nothing in this life that is better than following Jesus. While immediate pleasure often feels more desirable in the moment, it quickly fades and leaves us searching for more. No possession or position can lead to true satisfaction in life—that is found only in Jesus.
Take a moment to think about your life. Are there things that you’re holding onto that you would be hesitant to surrender to Jesus? Are there relationships that serve your own desires rather than God’s? Commit to following Jesus regardless of how difficult or challenging life might become. The cross, while painful, is temporary—abundant life with Jesus is eternal.
Jesus Does The Impossible
Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is often taken out of context. Many people have taken this verse to mean that they can do anything they want in life because God can do the impossible. Often this can lead to selfish prayers and a small view of God.
In order to understand what Jesus is saying, we should read the preceding verses. In Matthew 19:16-22, a young man comes to Jesus asking for eternal life. Jesus tells him that he must give up all of his earthly possessions—something the young man is not willing to do. Because he failed the test, the young man failed to inherit eternal life.
Jesus says in Matthew 19:23 that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The point is that loving Jesus requires everything we are. Our ultimate love cannot be split between Jesus and something else.
The disciples then ask, “Who can be saved?” Jesus responds in Matthew 19:26 that it is impossible for man to save himself—but it is possible with God. God can do the ...
