29^th June

Then Jesus said to His disciples,“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Matthew 16:24

One day General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, was introduced to Queen Victoria, who asked him why God had used him so greatly to help the poor and the suffering souls of England. “I guess the reason,” said Booth humbly, “is because God has all there is of me.”

Jesus didn’t call us to follow Him when it’s convenient or to give Him 99 percent of our lives. Our time on earth is brief, and we’re here on assignment. There’s work to do, people to win, and a kingdom to advance. Our Lord warned against letting “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word,” rendering us unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). He wants one hundred percent of you.

Our effectiveness for Christ is hindered by unyielded priorities or unconfessed sin. Jesus wants all of us there is to have. He wants all the adoration of our hearts, all the zeal of our souls, and all the days of our lives. Don’t allow the “things” in your life to keep you from doing what Christ is calling you to do for Him.

If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.

Missionary C. T. Studd¹