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Verse of the Week

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"And whosever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27 (KJV)
The Message version of the Bible offers this translation:
"One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple."
I read this verse, and it strikes me, hard, right in the middle of my chest. It's one of the moments in a life in which there is a major decision to make, and it's a decision that will change your life completely. It is a directive that's not for the faint of heart. It's a directive, that if taken, means you know that there is something greater than everyone in your life, that there is something even far more greater than you, and because of this knowledge, you are ready to do the following two things: 1- Follow the Lord because he is greater. 2- Carry your burdens Now, does this mean you must denounce your family? Not be there in times of pain or trouble? Go off in the forest and forget the world altogether? No, but it does mean that you have to be open to God and his voice and to what he wants to do with you through his son, Jesus Christ. It does mean that God is the center of your world. What it also means, which I believe is so awesome and which is not directly stated in the verse, when we follow the Lord with our heart and soul, he is there to help lift our burdens because we believe him capable of doing so. What a mighty, mighty God we serve.
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