Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26 ESV)

This verse is key to our walk and why we hear it so often. We are to deny ourselves, our flesh of this world, and pick up the cross of Christ to carry his name on our back claiming his ways rather than ours. Do not let the popularity of this verse retract from its power. Let us reflect today on areas on our lives we have and where we need to deny ourselves and choose Jesus over flesh.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’“ (Acts 20:35 ESV)

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.“ (Matthew 13:22, 23 ESV)

Let us be good soil letting the word of God take root in our heart to produce fruit worthy of our savior Jesus Christ, spreading his love and his message to all around us. Let us not take the power of reading the bible lightly but rather take it in and let it mold us, convict us, encourage us to be the light the world is missing.

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.“ (Matthew 12:35-37 ESV)

Our words matter to God. Our words reflect who we are at all moments so let us not take lightly what we speak. Let our good bring forth good fruit to encourage rather than destroy. In Christ we cannot be careless with our speech for His love and reputation is on the line with what we speak to those around us. Let’s take the challenge to examine our words and our motives to align them with the cause of Christ moment by moment.

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:26 ESV)

Even in the moments of fear, in the hours of little faith Jesus shows up to calm the waters and take care of the wrecking winds. He is always there especially in the times of chaos all we must do is cry out to him and trust in his power to calm our storms.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14, 15 ESV)

When we forgive our hearts are made open to receive the peace in forgiveness from our Father. If Jesus died to forgive us from all our junk that breaks the heart of God we have to follow suit in forgiving those who hurt us that much more. Let us reap the blessing found in forgiveness.