Only those who already have everything together

Only the disciples who heard him that day

Accepting a costly burden that comes with following Jesus

Showing a public religious symbol to prove commitment

Taking on any hardship life happens to bring

Finding a path with as little sacrifice as possible

Set aside self-rule, accept the cost, and keep following Jesus

Follow Jesus only when it is convenient and safe

Speak warmly about Jesus but keep control of your own life

Make one dramatic sacrifice, then resume your own plans

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have lived for myself and sinned against you. I need your mercy and cannot save myself. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin, confess you as Lord, and ask you to lead me as I learn to follow you. Amen.

Come and Lead My Life

Lord, revive your Church so we stop chasing comfort and start following Jesus with courage. Teach us to deny ourselves, bear what is costly, and walk after Christ with joy. Make us a people who obey when it hurts, love when it costs, and stay faithful when the path is hard, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Our Cross-Bearing Church

Father, show me where I have been living for myself. I confess my pride, my fear, and my love of comfort. Turn my heart from self-rule, give me courage to obey Jesus, and teach me to follow him even when it costs me, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Turn My Heart From Self

When you face a choice, begin by naming the place where self wants to lead. Ask Jesus what obedience looks like, ask for courage to choose it, and take the next faithful step today.

Pray Before You Decide

Bring these to God: the habits that protect comfort; the fear of loss; the desire to follow Jesus only when it is easy; the need for a steadier, more surrendered heart.

Growing in Surrender

Pray for: a friend weighing obedience against comfort; strength to say yes to Jesus; endurance to keep following when the path feels heavy; peace to trust his care.

For Someone Facing a Costly Choice

Τότε{TO-te###TOH-teh###Then} ὁ{HO###HOH###(the)} Ἰησοῦς{ee-ee-SOOS###ee-ee-SOOS###Jesus} εἶπεν{EE-pen###EE-pehn###(He) said} τοῖς{TEES###TEES###to the} μαθηταῖς{ma-thee-TES###mah-thee-TEHS###disciples} αὐτοῦ·{af-TOO###ahf-TOO###his} Εἴ{EE###EE###If} τις{tis###tees###anyone} θέλει{THE-lee###THEH-lee###wants} ὀπίσω{o-PEE-so###oh-PEE-soh###after} μου{moo###moo###me} ἐλθεῖν,{el-THEEN###ehl-THEEN###to come} ἀπαρνησάσθω{a-par-nee-SAS-tho###ah-pahr-nee-SAHS-thoh###let him deny} ἑαυτὸν{he-af-TON###heh-ahf-TOHN###himself} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἀράτω{a-RA-to###ah-RAH-toh###let him take up} τὸν{TON###TOHN###the} σταυρὸν{stav-RON###stahv-ROHN###cross} αὐτοῦ{af-TOO###ahf-TOO###his} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἀκολουθείτω{a-ko-loo-THEE-to###ah-koh-loo-THEE-toh###let him follow} μοι.{mee###mee###me}

Matthew 16:24 — LiteralTAB

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