Today's Verse: Luke 9:23

Friday, September 23, 1949

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
— Luke 9:23
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Offering ourselves to God isn't a one-time event. We learned that yesterday - we offer ourselves, we offer our bodies to God as a living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). We are committing to die to our selfish wills and follow Jesus daily, obeying him as we live to honor him. As the Lord Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane with the Father, we must face our daily challenge to "take up [my] cross daily," putting our selfish wills on the cross, and crying out, "Not my will, but yours be done," Abba Father (Luke 22:42).

My Prayer...

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus as my Savior. Lord Jesus, I want to follow you completely. I don't want it to be half-hearted or hypocritical. I yearn for your life to be seen in me each day. So please, Lord, humble me gently, and show me the areas where I need to soften my heart and have the Spirit shape my character, so that I can more perfectly reflect your glory, grace, and character to those around me. In Jesus' name, I ask for the Father's help in taking up my cross and following the way of Jesus, each and every day. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

30 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Way of the Cross!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[After Jesus said he would be killed and resurrected,] he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way,..."
Deny Yourself
Illustration of Luke 9:23
Inspirational illustration of Luke 9:23 -- If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Take Up Your Cross
Illustration of Luke 9:23
Inspirational illustration of Luke 9:23 -- Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
Luke 9:23-24
Devo: Today's Verse
"Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will...."
See All 30 Related Resources about Luke 9:23

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:23 — Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, September 23, 1949

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Habakkuk 1:8
"While preparing the present volume, this particular expression recurred to me so frequently, that in order to be rid of its constant importunity I..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Receiving God's Promises Through Faith'
"Dear Child of Grace, Many people in your fallen world accept or reject others based on race. They exclude those who are not of their race. The..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'You are the One' (Je. 14:22)
"You are the one, O Lord our God! Only you can do such things [like send us rain]. So we will wait for you to help us."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Catherine of Genoa:
"I clearly recognize that all good is in God alone, and that in me, without Divine Grace, there is nothing but deficiency... The one sole thing in myself in..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse