Day 40 - The Next Step

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?* Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. - Matthew 16:24-27 (NLT)

 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. - Ephesians 3:16-21 (NLT)

Wow…God…I’ve NEVER, in my ENTIRE life…spent 40 days straight with you and your Word. I’ve done many things to think about you and consider what you want for my life, but not 40 straight days in your Word and spending daily, concentrated time with you. I don’t want to let another day go by without spending concentrated time in your Word with you. You are my King. You are my Lord. You are my Savior…God, crucify my desires and all that is Josh until all others can see is your Son. I don’t want to be the me that I think is best…I wanna be the me you’ve created. The me YOU see…give me that abundant life you’ve promised me! The thief is trying to steal my joy, kill my testimony and destroy my life! Keep my eyes upon you every step of the way. Thank you for your love. Thank you for what you teach me every day. Thank you for…YOU. Give me more of you, God…give me the strength to run the marathon of the Christ-follower. I cannot do it in my own strength…Be my provision…be my portion…be my passion!!!

Today, I raise my white flag...