Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.
Reading: Luke 9:23-26
Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.
Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily—not once, but every single day. A living sacrifice means presenting ourselves to God repeatedly, one decision at a time. Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices that were offered once and consumed, we are called to continually choose God’s will over our own preferences.
This looks like starting your day in prayer instead of scrolling your phone, choosing forgiveness when resentment feels justified, or giving generously when keeping feels safer. Each choice is a small death to self and a step toward transformation. The beauty of living sacrifices is that they’re not about perfection but persistence. What one area of your life needs to be placed on the altar today? Trust that God’s way, though harder, leads to life.
Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…
- Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
- Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Lord, help me choose You in the everyday moments of life. Give me the strength to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You faithfully. When obedience feels difficult, remind me that Your ways lead to life. Teach me to surrender my will daily and trust that Your plans are better than my own. Amen.
- Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.
Faith Steps:
- Identify one area where your desires have been competing with God’s will and intentionally surrender it to Him today.
- Make one choice today that honors God even if it costs you comfort, convenience, or personal preference.