Thursday, February 9th
Jesus said, "If anyone wants to be follower o Mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow Me…….What gain is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?
Luke 9:23-25

Let no one think that life in the Kingdom of Heaven is one of ease, removed from the sorrows and pain and afflictions of the world. And let no one underestimate the cost of discipleship. Every day requires the offering of the whole person - mind, body and will - to the loving purpose of the heavenly Father ; sensitive approach to all the day offers, aware of The Presence in self and others and in the world around. When the inner self has been illuminated and cleansed the whole being progresses through the day in confidence and in hope. Let no anxiety or fear of inadequacy arise in things which are undertaken. The unredeemed, unsanctified, uncommitted self is indeed inadequate in all things, completely incapable of bringing any lasting good in any way. The self prepared and infused by the light and love of Our Godhead in humility and unselfconscious commitment is the agent of Our loving purpose. In the very business of daily he is maturing in the life of The Kingdom, and The Kingdom is quickly and steadily extended by reason of his faithfulness and the action -in and through him - of Our saving, risen life. The cost is total self-giving in love in all things, at all times, The reward is fullness of life as self-giving increases, and joy in the presence of the Father in and through eternity.