praying effectively: Carry Your Cross (Mt.10:32-42, Lk. 12:8-9,14:27, 33)

(Luke 12:8-9)  “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”

(Matthew 10:32-42)  “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

(Luke 14:33)  “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. ”

(Luke 14:27)  “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ”

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we take our cross and follow Jesus:  dying to sin and worldly possessions and idols, and putting Jesus first in our lives (Mt.10:37-39, Lk.14:27, 33)

- that we confess Jesus before men (Mt.10:32, Lk.12:8-9)

- that we accept Jesus and not reject Him (Mt.10:40)

- that we accept and fellowship with other believers, and not reject them (Mt.10:41)

- that we serve and help other believers, and not reject them (Mt.10:42)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your work on the cross, that we can die to sin and have eternal life.  Help us put You first in our lives, ahead of ourselves, and all our friends, family members, heroes and worldly possessions.  Help us realize that when we do this, Your love will abound and grow in us, which will enable us to do as You ask. 

When we see a fellow believer in need, help us to be giving.  When we see a fellow believer doing Your work, help us support and encourage them.  When we are given the opportunity, help us share the gospel message.  Fill us with Your love, strength and courage to do Your will.  Amen.