Matt 16:24-25 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

I’m taking a break today from Ephesians because the Lord has placed a burden on my heart lately regarding our walk with Him. Often we forget that the message of the Gospel is a message of surrendering our life in exchange for Christ’s. Deitrich Bonhoffer said, in his book The Cost Of Discipleship, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” It’s a hard message.

This past couple weeks as we box up, sell, give away, and store, we are reminded of this message. Lori and I have just touched the tip of what it means to die to self. The more we step in faith the harder it becomes to not want to hold onto the “normal” for just a bit longer. But He keeps bidding… “Come, come and trust me. Taste and see my goodness.” So we are again able to take the next step.

Praise the Lord for his strength. Thank him for allowing each of us just enough faith to get to the next step and a whole lot of grace when we hold on too tightly.

Be blessed today,

Keith