JULY 15, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

JULY 15 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 16:24-26

I believe in order to be ready to die for Christ; we must first be willing to live for Christ. That requires us to die to self and to this world. Jesus said if anyone wants to truly be His disciple..."they deny self, take up the cross and follow Him.” We are called to put self to death...to be unashamed of His cross and His gospel...and follow Him wherever He leads. When the Lord is leading there is no safer or better place for us to be than with Him.

Because the world hates our Jesus, they will hate us. They killed Him and they will kill us. The Lord knows this and has promised to always be there with us in all that He’s called us to.

Trials and tribulations are surely coming and our only hope is Jesus. The only way we will be ready to face those future persecutions, even death is by walking in faith now. Polycarp served Jesus over eighty years, so when the fire was literally turned up; he already knew where he stood and was ready to pay the price. Today is our day to walk in faith, in preparation for whatever the future holds. As we daily walk surrendered to Him, His very presence in our lives is our preparation and our power to stand. Remember, we are never alone in whatever life brings as we serve Him!

Please share your thoughts.