Today's Verse: Luke 9:23-24

Friday, April 12, 2002

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 lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"I've just got to get away and find myself."
If that is our goal, we must know it won't ever happen. We do not "find ourselves" or "find our life" by pursuing it (Matthew 10:39). We find life, true and lasting life, by losing it for something and someone greater than ourselves. We find our lives by losing them to Jesus, to the work of his Kingdom, and to the grace of blessing others and bringing them to Jesus (Matthew 16:25).

My Prayer...

Master and Maker of all that lives and breathes, take my life and make it yours. Use my every breath for your glory. Holy Spirit, I trust your transforming work to make me more like Jesus, more JESUShaped. Lord Jesus, I pray that my words and actions are pleasing to you and consistent with the way you lived while on earth. In the words of your servant, David, I pray:
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
Through the mighty intercession and authority of Jesus, we offer you this prayer and our praise, O God. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

31 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:23-24 — 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 lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, April 12, 2002

The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"It is not left to our own option whether we shall praise God or not. Praise is God's most righteous due, and every Christian, as the recipient of his...."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. ... The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains smoke at his..."
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"[Jesus continued,] "I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be..."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Beloved, The fellowship of My disciples as they gather around a table for a meal is a precious and holy time. This meal can be a common meal or...."

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.