Life's most important decision is not pollical, financial, philosophical, educational or social. It is spiritual. It is a once in a life time decision, which is renewed daily and lasts eternally. It is to choose to accept Jesus call to follow him.
Luke 9:23 (ESV) "And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
Father, the core of this decision is our heart, the context of this decision is our life, the circumference of this decision is the influence of our behavior and the cost of this decision may be suffering for following Him.
Father you remind us in the Scriptures: Philippians 1:29 (ESV) "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,"
2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV) "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,"
1 Peter 4:16 (ESV) "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name".
Father thank you for the honor of being called to follow Jesus. Thank your for the privileges of suffering for his Name. Thank you that by your grace we are not pessimistic about persecution, nor intimated by hostility, nor frozen by fear. Thank you, not for the pain but for the One we endure the pain for.
Father may we be a humble, joyful, powerful, truthful and loving witness to all regardless of their reaction. And may we remember Jesus affirmation to his followers: “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers." Matthew 5:11 (NLT)
In the name of Jesus the one who suffered so much for us we pray. Amen.
