During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is Susan Tallman.
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Matthew 16:21-26
Most of us love earthly things: delicious food, a well-appointed wardrobe, trips to places unseen, comfortable homes with helpful conveniences.
Do we love these so much that we go to great lengths to attain them?
To gain the world means to possess it as our own – all its riches, its honors, and its pleasures.
“To lose his own soul” means to be cast away, to be shut out from heaven, to be sent to hell.
Let us walk in the same way as Christ walked and be led by His spirit and follow in his steps. Let us be his disciples and seek to please Him in all that we do.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, gracious and loving God, send your Spirit to lead me in this earthly life. Help me to grow in discipline daily as I try to live in the model you have given us. Do continue to hold my hand and redirect me when I wander. I ask this in your name, Amen.
Daily Devotions 
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