Losing life or saving face?

God's word is amazing. . . There are passages of scripture that can simultaneously bring me to my knees and yet cause me to dance for joy! Every time I read about the One who died to save me, I fall in love with him all over again. . . moved and challenged by his single-minded purpose and mission here on earth. Humbled on my knees when I see my sin next to his selfless glory, but dancing on my feet when I remember that his death has wiped away that sin and offers a life beyond what I could ever ask or imagine!

Today I want you to read a passage from Mark. I am hoping that you will place yourself there, sitting at Jesus feet, listening with great intent to the words he speaks. Don't just read them - try to understand them. Ask yourself questions like, "What is Jesus asking of me? Is my life reflecting his character, love, service, and sacrifice? Am I living for the right things?"

God's word is a double edged sword - let it pierce your heart and free your soul.

From Mark 8:31-38:

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.

Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, 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 and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”