Thoughts for the Day:
There is a lot of activity in this chapter and trying to take it all in at once can be a bit overwhelming. I chose to focus my attention on the last few verses (57-62) as Jesus talks about the cost of being a disciple.
Have you found that you have had to give up some things to follow Jesus? If so, what are some of those things?
What did you think when you read that Jesus rebuked the person who wanted to bury his father and the person who wanted to say good-bye to his family. "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God". Ugh...that sounds pretty harsh, doesn't it?
Are you tempted to keep one foot in the things of God and the other foot in the things of this world? If so, do you find it difficult to "serve two masters"?
Take time to pray this week that God would create in you a pure heart...so that you might seek the things of God more often.
Fasting Update:
This weekend I faced my biggest temptation to break my fast. I went to the movies and really, REALLY wanted to have some popcorn and a coke. Good gravity, the popcorn aroma was almost overpowering...and the sound of MUNCHING all over the theater was just about to drive me crazy. But once again, I, in my "saintly way", recalled that old verse, "Man shall not live by popcorn alone".
Mercifully, the movie started and my attention was immediately drawn to the incredible martial arts and special effects of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". In fact, I didn't think about popcorn the rest of the night.
Doesn't that say something about our attention spans? And the way temptation works? Sometimes we're like children in the toy store...you feel like you've absolutely GOT to have something...and have it right NOW. But when you step away from the situation, you realize that you really didn't need that object of your desire...in fact, you may be better off without it!
I hope you are finding that your fast is not supposed to be like self-inflicted punishment...but a way to free yourself to become a better follower of Christ!
Have a great week...and hang in there!
- Kelly

Flashback Picture for the Day