love, obey, stay
"Choose life...by loving the Lord, your God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to Him." —Deuteronomy 30:19, 20
Moses offered a three-fold plan for God's people: to love God, to obey what He commands by heeding His Word, and to stay with God by holding fast to Him (Dt 30:19-20). Jesus offered the same plan. He declared: "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (see Jn 14:21; 15:9-10), and stay with Me (Jn 15:5, 7; Mt 26:38).
The best way to love, obey, and stay with Jesus is to follow His plan in Luke 9:23:
- deny ourselves for the purpose of loving Him,
- take up our daily cross in obedience to His command, and
- stay with Him by following in His footsteps.
If we accept the grace to love, obey, and stay with Jesus in this life, the Lord promises that we will stay with Him in eternal life. Deny yourself, take up your cross each day, and follow Jesus (Lk 9:23).
Prayer: Father, help me. I ask You for the Holy Spirit, so I may put to death my desires and abandon myself to Your desires.
Promise: "Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." —Lk 9:24
Praise: St. Felicity was martyred for her faith shortly after giving birth. The Lord arranged for her baby to be cared for by a Christian family.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Our retreat Life Style in the Spirit is for everyone. We all need more of the Spirit to live in the world today. Join us in beautiful Adams County, Ohio April 12-14. Call 513-373-2397, e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com or see our website for more information.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018
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