SCRIPTURE Matt. 10:39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

OBSERVATION This is one of the most important verses in the Bible. We have a choice with our life. Will we cling to it--try to squeeze out of it every ounce of joy and fulfillment. Will we cause others to dance to our tunes so that our lives can be just what we want them to be? If we do, we will have no life, no joy, no fulfillment and no good relationships.

Instead, if we give our lives for Him, serve as He calls us to love and serve, lay down our lives for others then we will have true life, true joy, fulfillment and great relationships.

APPLICATION/CONFESSION I keep forgetting that my life is not mine to hold on to and fulfill. I am His--I was bought with a price. I want to give up my life for Him and discover the great adventure He has for me.

PRAYER God forgive me for the times when I have lived like my life is a movie about me where everyone else are bit players in "the Story of Me". Give me the grace, the fortitude, to lay down my life and find it in you and in your kingdom.