August 7th, 2025
by Charles W. Price
by Charles W. Price
Verse For Today
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’.” —MATTHEW 16:24
Devotional
Jesus said in order to follow Him we must deny ourselves. The idea of self-denial is largely misunderstood today. It is not deliberately making life difficult and uncomfortable in the hopes of impressing God. Many little heroic acts like sleeping on a wooden plank instead of a mattress or giving up ice cream for a month may be character building, but do nothing to further our standing with God.
To deny ourselves is to render what happens to us as completely unimportant in the process of serving God. Jesus took the stance, “If to fulfill the will of my Father, I am to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, then suffer many things, I will. If it means I am to die on a Roman cross, then die on a Roman cross, I will.” In denying ourselves, we die to our own agendas and live for the agenda of God, regardless of consequences to ourselves.
Many people also misconstrue what Jesus meant by ‘taking up our cross’. It doesn’t mean coping with unavoidable problems in life. “Well, I guess my arthritis is my cross to bear’ or ‘that delinquent son of mine is my cross to bear.” The cross in the life of Jesus was not a demonstration in how to act under pressure, but was the ultimate in His obedience to His Father. We know Jesus went willingly to the cross, but He didn’t waltz to it. The night of His arrest, He prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done” (Matthew 26:42). It was in great anguish Jesus went, but the cross in His life was total obedience to His Father’s will, and He remained obedient, even to death on a cross.
Whether we live a life of relative ease or one of hardship and sacrifice is not the issue. There is no virtue in ease, nor in sacrifice or martyrdom for its own sake, but there is virtue in wanting the will of God in our lives, no matter how tough it may be. It is saying, “Lord, through thick and thin your will be done. Through ease and hardship your will be done. When it breaks my heart, your will be done.” The issue is in willingly submitting ourselves to Christ’s agenda, and living in obedience to Him, regardless of where that will take us.
To deny ourselves is to render what happens to us as completely unimportant in the process of serving God. Jesus took the stance, “If to fulfill the will of my Father, I am to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, then suffer many things, I will. If it means I am to die on a Roman cross, then die on a Roman cross, I will.” In denying ourselves, we die to our own agendas and live for the agenda of God, regardless of consequences to ourselves.
Many people also misconstrue what Jesus meant by ‘taking up our cross’. It doesn’t mean coping with unavoidable problems in life. “Well, I guess my arthritis is my cross to bear’ or ‘that delinquent son of mine is my cross to bear.” The cross in the life of Jesus was not a demonstration in how to act under pressure, but was the ultimate in His obedience to His Father. We know Jesus went willingly to the cross, but He didn’t waltz to it. The night of His arrest, He prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done” (Matthew 26:42). It was in great anguish Jesus went, but the cross in His life was total obedience to His Father’s will, and He remained obedient, even to death on a cross.
Whether we live a life of relative ease or one of hardship and sacrifice is not the issue. There is no virtue in ease, nor in sacrifice or martyrdom for its own sake, but there is virtue in wanting the will of God in our lives, no matter how tough it may be. It is saying, “Lord, through thick and thin your will be done. Through ease and hardship your will be done. When it breaks my heart, your will be done.” The issue is in willingly submitting ourselves to Christ’s agenda, and living in obedience to Him, regardless of where that will take us.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I pray for your agenda in my life. Help me to completely submit to your will, regardless of consequences to me. Thank You, Lord.
Reflection
How can I best overcome any hesitancy in submitting to God’s will for my life?
Recent
What Does "Grace & Peace for Every Saint" Mean? | Devotion
October 7th, 2025
Jehovah Shalom: Finding Peace & Strength in God | Devotion
October 7th, 2025
The Power of Prayer and God’s Will on Earth | Devotional
October 7th, 2025
Spiritual Gifts & Mutual Encouragement | Romans Devotional
October 5th, 2025
Jesus Is At The Door, Obey & Honour Him | Bible Devotional
October 4th, 2025
Archive
2025
July
A SERVANT OF CHRISTTHE FINEST WINETHE GREATEST GIFTCAN GOD BE PROVEN?REKINDLING THE FERVOUR | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE HARD TIMES | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALA MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALFAITHFUL SAINTS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALIN CHRIST AND CHRIST IN US | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALRIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD RECEIVED | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE STAFF OF GOD | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALDIVINE PROVISION | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALUNANSWERED PRAYER: 4 BIBLICAL REASONS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE CHRISTIAN ADVENTURE | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALJesus Chose Ordinary People | Daily Bible DevotionalJesus Breaks Down Barriers | Daily Bible DevotionalUNLOCKING HEAVEN ON EARTH | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALCHRISTIAN FAITH: OBJECTIVE TRUTH | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALBUILD ON THE ROCK: CHRIST AS YOUR FOUNDATION | DEVOTIONALPUT ON THE NEW SELF: TRANSFORMED IN CHRIST | DEVOTIONALSEEKING JESUS AND FINDING PEACE IN THE BIBLE | DEVOTIONALSHARE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST LIKE PAUL DID | DEVOTIONALBAPTISM: FROM DEATH TO LIFE | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALWALK ON WATER WITH JESUS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALBLESSING OF GIVING: TITHES AND OFFERING | MALACHI DEVOTIONKNOW CHRIST BETTER THROUGH PRAYER | EPHESIANS 1 DEVOTIONALHope, Inheritance & Power in Christ | Ephesians DevotionalForgiveness & Grace For Humble Sinners | Luke DevotionalHow Beautiful Are The Feet Of Those Who Bring Good News!
August
Seek God's Gift of Wisdom | Proverbs DevotionalChrist’s Power in Our Weaknesses & Suffering | DevotionalSigns of the Holy Spirit Within Us | Daily DevotionalFollowing Jesus: Deny Yourself & Take Up Your CrossMoses' Story: When You Feel Inadequate for God’s CallingPraying To God With Humility | Daily Bible DevotioanlStrengthened By The Spirit And Christ's Power | DevotionalRooted In The Love & Knowledge Of Christ | DevotionalThe Gospel: Saved by Grace Alone In Christ | DevotionalRun the Christian Race by God’s Rules | Bible DevotionalExperience the Love of God | Psalm 86 DevotionalKnowing God Through His Spirit | Daily Bible DevotionalLosing Life to Gain Christ’s Fullness | Bible DevotionalTrusting God's Timing In Prayer | Nehemiah 2 DevotionalOvercoming the Law of Sin with Christ's Spirit | Romans 7God's Truth In Our Heart | Psalm 51 DevotionalGod's Sovereignty: How He Remolds Us | Bible DevotionalThe Greatness of God Beyond Our Theology | DevotionalFaithful Families Remember God’s Wonders | Psalm 111The Helmet of Salvation and Hope in Christ | DevotionalChristians Find Freedom In Christ, Not Legalism | DevotionGod of Comfort in Suffering | 2 Corinthians DevotionalGod Jehovah: The Lord Who Heals | Exodus 15 DevotionalJesus Christ Heals the Sick | Mark 1 Bible DevotionalGood Soil and God’s Word | Luke 8 Bible DevotionalPreach The Gospel To All Of The World | Mark 16 DevotionalGod Is With The Humble & Lowly In Spirit | Isaiah Devotion
September
Holy Is The Lord God Almighty | Isaiah 6 DevotionalMatthew 5: Let Your Yes Be Yes, No Be No | Devotion On OathGifts to Build the Body of Christ | Ephesians 4 DevotionalChrist in You, the Hope of Glory | Colossians 1 DevotionalLove Jesus & Your Neighbour | Good Samaritan DevotionalRebuild Faith and Life in Christ | Nehemiah 3 DevotionalNew Covenant in Christ Brings Life & Freedom | DevotionalLiving the Christian Life by Standing Firm in ChristGospel of Christ in the Old Testament Prophecies | Romans 1Witnesses of Jesus Christ | Acts 1:8 Bible DevotionalThe Gospel of Jesus and His Resurrection Power | DevotionGod's Guidance in Proverb 3:6 | Daily Bible DevotionalFaith in the Word of God | John 4:49-50 DevotionalChristian Life Involves Hard Work, Perseverance & PatienceJehovah-Nissi: The Lord Is My Banner | Exodus DevotionalThe Authority of Scripture and One True God | DevotionalAmalekites & Our Sinful Nature | Exodus 17 DevotionalWhen Jesus Was Tempted by the Devil | Bible DevotionalHoly Spirit Sends the Church on Mission | Acts DevotionalGod of Comfort and Compassion in Troubles | DevotionalStand Firm in God’s Armour of Truth and Be Ready to GoSeek God With All Your Heart and Find Jesus | DevotionalPharaoh's Hardened Hearts & God's Will | Exodus DevotionalGod’s Promises and Eli’s Sons | 1 Samuel 2 DevotionalRepentance and God's Forgiveness of Sins | DevotionalJesus: You Must Be Born Again by the Spirit | DevotionalLord Christ Our Passover Lamb | Exodus 12 Devotional
October
Prayer and Intimacy with God | Matthew 6:6 DevotionalPaul & Barnabas: When Two Christians Disagree | DevotionalDigesting Scripture The Word of God | Ezekiel 3 DevotionalSolomon: True Meaning In God | Ecclesiastes 1 DevotionalFishers of Men That Follow Jesus Daily | Bible DevotionalPentecost: Filled with the Holy Spirit | Acts 2 DevotionalJesus Is At The Door, Obey & Honour Him | Bible DevotionalSpiritual Gifts & Mutual Encouragement | Romans DevotionalThe Power of Prayer and God’s Will on Earth | DevotionalJehovah Shalom: Finding Peace & Strength in God | DevotionWhat Does "Grace & Peace for Every Saint" Mean? | Devotion
No Comments