Category: Memory Verse

“If a man wishes to come after Me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in My footsteps.” –Matthew 16:24 To be disciples of Jesus, we must deny ourselves and take up His cross daily (Lk 9:23). In effect, we must lose our lives (Mt 16:25). We no longer operate independently, but obediently. We don’t do our thing, but His thing. We have been crucified with Christ and the lives we live are no longer our own (Gal 2:19-20). Although the cost of discipleship is so high, deep down we sense that only...

“Lord, if it is really You, tell me to come to You across the water.” –Matthew 14:28 “Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water, moving toward Jesus” (Mt 14:29). Peter became afraid and began to sink. After pulling him up, Jesus exclaimed: “How little faith you have!…Why did you falter?” (Mt 14:31) If Jesus was disappointed in Peter’s little faith, what about the faith of those who were still in the boat? If Jesus is displeased with those sinking in the water, what about those who are working their way up to sinking? “When...