Further reading…
Discipleship Is Costly
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
25 For whoever wishes to save his life[in this world] will [eventually] lose it[through death], but whoever loses his life[in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:24-26 (AMP)
Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,
Luke 18:1 (AMP)
but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)
15 Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],
16 [1]making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (AMP)
Footnotes
1 Ephesians 5:16 The Greek word in this verse means “buy up at the market place.” Opportunity is regarded as a commodity to be used by believers.
Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].
Colossians 3:21 (AMP)
I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 (AMP)
But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
Philippians 3:20 (AMP)
Do Not Love The World
Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15
Unapologetically Marcia 