Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

When Jesus was talking to the disciples about being disciples, He made sure they understood just what was going to be required of them!

First, they would have to be willing to follow Him. Then they should be willing to give up their sinful ways and obey Him. Then they should be willing to take on any request made of them by God.

We should be willing to follow these same steps when we put our faith and trust in Christ – not just talk about it, but do it!

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Jesus was talking to the Jews who had gathered to hear what He would have to say about why they thought He was making people doubt!

What makes any of us doubt? Is it not the difference between what you are hearing and your own beliefs?

Jesus was trying to tell the Jews the truth directly from God; they were not about to change the beliefs they had built up in their own minds…

We need to be open to what Christ is going to ask of us and willing and humble to do His will.

Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Martha did what most of us would probably like to do – she complained to Jesus about how much work she had to do in comparison to others!

Christ wants each of us to do the work assigned to us without complaining and without constantly comparing our situation to others!

God alone knows what we are capable of and the result of the work He has asked of each of us. We need to humbly accept what He has in store for us and willingly do it – we don’t know what others are capable of or not…