Daily Companion | 30 January
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
“Take up his cross daily.” We most often quote the above scriptures without paying much attention or even including the word “daily”. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible wrote something interesting about this scripture. He said “We often meet with crosses in the way of duty on daily basis". Our crosses are our daily tasks, responsibilities, and the challenges that accompany them - not necessarily our sufferings. Though such responsibilities are not pleasures either. They require our endurance, consistency, constancy, and persistence. Continuity is picking it up from where you left it off yesterday.
In you calling, career, business, or personal project, if you want to be a master and successful expert, you need daily continuity. Laudable projects should never be abandoned due to little momentary discomfort the cross may bring. Like Matthew Henry said, "though we must not pull them (the crosses) upon our own heads, yet, when they are laid for us, we must take them up, and carry them after Christ.”
Carrying the cross after Christ means doing it Jesus’ way, following His lead, asking for His guidance, grace, and wisdom: and doing it the righteous way. Do not cheat, or get corrupt but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace...(2 Timothy 2:22). We must never be ashamed of Christ and His gospel. Be a Christ ambassador everyday.
Secondly, after every cross, there is a crown awaiting you. Hence, continuing daily means pressing toward the mark (set goal) of the prize.
But most of all, self-denial and self-discipline are key to a successful task. Every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible (I Corinthians 9:25). Therefore beloved, as you set out today, give the business of the day the required commitment. Though rough and rugged, very soon you shall be crowned.
Today’s Recite: Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. - Hebrew 12:2
Today’s Morning Prayers: Heavenly Father, I thank You for another new day, a new opportunity to carry on with the cross and challenge. Thank You for yesterday. I pray for Your strength, wisdom, and guidance daily. Help me with task today. I refuse to be discouraged. Lead me to my crown and palace in Jesus mighty name.
Today’s Hymn: The Old Rugged Cross
Today’s Read Me: Exodus 36-38
Today ReadMe: Exodus 36 – 38
Comments