When my life

was threatened

 

I learned

 

that I truly love You, God,

more than my life

 

When I gave up meals

to fast and pray

 

I learned

 

that I truly want You, God,

more than food

 

When I denied myself

and I wanted to be first

 

I learned

 

that I wanted You above all, God,

more than myself

 

And when I surrendered my will

bowing low

 

I learned

 

that I long for Your plan, God,

more than mine

 

And the longer I walk with You, God,

the more I want to be near You

 

The more I know of You, God,

the more I want to know

 

The more I see of You, God,

the more I want to be wide awake

 

to You

 

– Susie Stewart

 

In the same way, if you want to be My disciple, it will cost you everything. Don’t underestimate that cost!

– Luke 14:33 (VOICE)

 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

– Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

 

…man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

– Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)

 

Then Jesus went to work on His disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

– Matthew 16:23-25 (MSG)

 

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

– Matthew 13:44-46 (NLT)

 

Photo by Arik Stewart