Devotion for Saturday, August 10, 2024

“Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).

You have been given the gift of life.  But, in a very real sense, although it is yours, it is not just yours.  You can make choices, but will those choices help or hinder your relationship with the Lord?  Will you turn to the One who made life, or will your life go down to the pit?  If you give up self-control of this life, you find life.  If you seek to control your life, you will lose it.  Who is God?  Are you your own god, or is the One who made you God?  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.

The struggle is in me Lord.  I want to be in charge.  Lead me out of the pit of this impossible idea so that I come into reality.  I cannot add one moment to my life.  You know the beginning from the end.  I can only come to You and walk with You, the One who made me.  Lead me away from myself as a god and toward You, the One True God.  Expand Your Spirit within me.

Jesus, you have told us that we must decrease so that You may increase.  You know the plans that have been made and You are guiding us by those plans.  Help me to be willing to die to self today so that I may humbly walk with You wherever You lead.  In Your goodness, may I not overly think about my life, but simply do what You give me to do.  Teach me how to be faithful.  Amen.