Heart Notes: November Scriptures for a More Intimate Walk with Jesus. Today we come to our final November verses…and these pack a punch. Let’s jump right in!!
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. Luke 9:23-24 (NLT)
There are few verses in the Scriptures that convict my heart more than these two. It matters not which translation I read, I am run through with conviction from the Holy Spirit. You want to know what these verses say, in a nutshell? Here it is:
IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU, LEAH.
This life is not about MY wants, MY dreams, MY desires, or MY comfort. If I am a follower of Jesus Christ, this life cannot be about me. It must be about Jesus.
BUT, I miss that on a daily basis. Perhaps you do, as well? I get all tethered up with what I want to do, what I like, what I think I deserve. With my comfort, my cravings, my stuff.
From the first moment Jesus breathed the air of earth, it was never about Him. It was about us. He came to earth with one singular purpose. To die. He came to die, so that you and I would never have to be separated from He and His Father when we die. His mission was ME. His mission was YOU.
If He could do that for me, it is the height of arrogance for me to make this life all about me. If I want to truly follow Christ, I need to make my life all about Him. I need to be willing to take my eyes off of me, and fix them on Him. I need to be willing to take up the cross and follow Him.
What does that even mean? When Jesus shouldered the cross on which He would die, He volunteered to be separated from God, so I would never have to. He took on Himself the guilt, shame, and punishment for every ugly, nasty, revolting sin I would ever commit, so I would never have to. He visited hell, and staked His claim over that dark dominion named Death, so I would never experience it. He did it all for me! He did it for you!
How dare we make this life all about us! When we willingly lay down our life, our desires, our dreams, and allow His life to permeate ours…..well, we hit the jackpot. We get eternity with Jesus in heaven, and His Holy Spirit to guide us, comfort us, and teach us while we walk this earth. He gave His all for us. Let’s give ourselves to Him, no matter the cost.
In case you didn’t get the FREE November printable, here it is again.
