Deny Yourself and Pick Up Your Cross

July 21, 2023

Day 7 – SEEK THE LORD AND LIVE SEVEN DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE

READ THE WORD

“Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and
follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. For
what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself” (Luke 9:23-25 CSB).

MEDITATION

Jesus Christ has laid out a path for each of our lives. He calls us to deny our flesh and our sinful desires
that come into conflict with God’s word. Sin brings death but Jesus, the Living Word, is life.

Each person has a choice to trust Jesus or self. Every day we have a choice to make to follow Christ or to
follow the way of the world that seems good in the immediate but will ultimately lead to death. As the
Shepherd King, Jesus took up his cross, laid down his life for us as a sacrifice. As we follow Him,
He calls us to do the same.

Seek God and you will live. Follow Jesus; the Way the Truth and the Life!

PRAYER POINTS

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

“Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2:10-12 NIV

Take time to give reverence to God, to repent, to rejoice in the Lord, and to respond in faith to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

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