January 8 | Pursue Jesus
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9.23

Reading: Luke 9

To pursue means to follow, chase or to continue along a path.  The invitation from Jesus is for us to follow Him.  This is what faith looks like.  It is saying, “no” to self and, “yes” to Jesus.  It is the dethroning of self and enthroning of Christ as king, making Him and His Word the ruling principle even if it means suffering, opposition, shame and death.    

Prayer: Lord, there are many things in this world to pursue and follow after.  I want to pursue you no matter the cost.  Help me to learn what it means to deny myself and then to do it.  Help me to learn what it means to take up my cross daily and truly follow you.