2009-10-02T15:23:08-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com http://www.gospel.com/feeds/topics/take+up+your+cross http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209:23&version=NIV 2009-10-02T15:23:08-05:00 Following Jesus isn't always easy--in fact, it often requires us to go against the grain of our natural human impulses. The work of loving Jesus and acting righteously is an everyday struggle of denying our own desires. http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010:37-38&version=NIV 2009-10-02T13:51:47-05:00 Following Jesus does not come without a cost, which Jesus describes as your "cross"--when you choose to follow Jesus, we must put him first in our lives, above our possessions and even our loved ones. http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016:24-25&version=NIV 2009-09-17T15:30:00-05:00 In the Kingdom of God anyone who wants to save their life must first actively try to lose their life. This means that one has to closely examine and get rid of all the sin in their life. By doing this they will find a new life in Christ. http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2014:25-27&version=NIV 2009-09-09T16:48:29-05:00 Jesus told a large crowd that they must be willing to leave their families and carry their cross in order to follow him. He asks for total commitment from his disciples.