31 January

DAY 3 — Obedience Requires Daily Surrender

Scripture: Luke 9:23 (NIV) “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’”

Focus Thought: Obedience means choosing God’s will over our own.

Obedience is not a once-off decision—it is a daily posture of surrender. Jesus makes it clear that following Him involves denying ourselves and choosing His way again. The call to take up our cross daily reminds us that obedience requires continual alignment of our desires, plans, and priorities with God’s will.

Daily surrender confronts our natural tendency to seek comfort, control, and convenience. To deny ourselves does not mean losing our identity; it means placing our lives under God’s authority and trusting that His will leads to life. Each day presents new opportunities to either follow our own preferences or to choose obedience in response to God’s leading.

When we surrender daily, obedience becomes a lifestyle rather than a struggle. It keeps our hearts soft and responsive to the Holy Spirit. As we choose God’s will over our own, we grow in spiritual maturity and deepen our relationship with Christ. True discipleship is formed in these daily choices of surrender and trust.

Action for Today: Begin your day by praying: “Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.”

Remain attentive to moments where God invites you to follow Him in obedience.

Prayer: Jesus, I choose to follow You today. Help me to lay down my will and embrace Yours. Give me grace to surrender daily and strength to walk in obedience. Amen.

Reflection Question: What decision today required you to lay down your will?

Journal Prompt: Write about a moment where obedience challenged your preferences or plans. How did surrendering your will affect your peace or perspective?