My grandson Austin started Kindergarten this year, and he enjoyed his first week. Over the weekend, his older brother asked his Mom, Jamie, if she would come and have lunch with him. Austin answered, “Of course we will.” Jamie then explained to Austin that he could not eat with his brother because he would have to eat at his school.

Austin: “You mean I have to go back next week too?”

It was evidently quite the shock for him. They were nice enough not to inform him that he would be going almost every week for the next twelve or so years.

And that reminds me of how some people want to follow Jesus. They are fine with a week or two, but do not always buy into a lifetime of following him. Or they do not mind giving up Sunday, but have problems with Christianity being an all-day everyday process.

Jesus said: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Following Jesus is to commit to a life of saying no to ourselves so we can say yes to Jesus. It is to embrace the cross of Jesus. Every day. It is a conscious decision one makes daily to follow Jesus. Deciding to do what he would do. Deciding not to do what he would not do.

So make no mistake. Jesus offers you a new life here and then life forever after this. But he expects you to surrender your life to him. Not just for a day or a week, but from now on. But it is worth it. Just ask any of his followers.

If you want to know more about this new life — a life of hope and joy, write to me at steve@hopeforlife.org or visit our HopeForLife.org website.

Choose Jesus today... and today... and today. Forever.

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Are you presently experiencing a new life? God's word says, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

This new life is a gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ. If you want to know more about this life that only Jesus can give you, sign up for one of our Bible courses. Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again.

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