What are we really doing it For???

This is a post that my Friend Dan Email to me. He sends me a devotion every day but today's really stood out to me. Hope you get the same things out of it that I did. Love ya, Am

~ Matthew 16: Healthy Discouragement ~

Matt 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.NKJVThis verse continues to amaze me, even after reading it countless times. I mean, C'MON Jesus! You won't get much a following by telling people to come follow you after telling them to "take up his cross", and "let him deny himself". I think reading this really speaks to how much we sometimes want to sugarcoat Christianity, with things like "God will give you the best, no matter what," and "If you come to God, your life will automatically be blessed with riches beyond measure." Jesus didn't say that. In fact, he said the opposite!!! He said if you desire to be his disciple, that you must sacrafice your very life! All your hopes, dreams, plans for the future...gone. In doing this he presented the truth: God has a better purpose for your life than we could ever imagine. I may want 5,000 cones of ice cream as a child, but my Father knows better. He's going to give me the best fufillment I could ever want - By working for his kingdom. I just have to be willing to crucify my desires and follow him!