Reading: Luke 9.23-27 NLT
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?
If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.
I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus – you call me to let go of my life… to give up anything that gets in the way of my relationship with you. Forgive me for clinging to the things of this sinful and dying world… trying to drag them along with me on the via dolorosa. You are my Lord and my God. Give me the courage to drop my baggage.. take up the cross you give me to bear… and follow you today. Amen.
Spiritual Song: “Take Up Your Cross” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir (YouTube)