II Corinthians 4:5-7
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
December 10th
"...If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23
It is not riches, acclaim, nor even a living income, but rather a measure of self-SACRIFICE in order to serve the One ADORED. Secondly, the CROSS must be shouldered daily! WHAT is that Cross? It may be poor eyesight; it could even be blindness! The Cross has many shapes and sizes. It could even be some form of illness; or it may be parting with those dearly beloved, or it could be working under hazardous conditions.
"FOLLOW ME" – because He was and is "THE Way"!
…Aside from preaching the Glad Tidings of Good Things, there were countless instances where He had to be in a particular place at a certain time in order that God's love, care, and power might be manifested. Yet all of that WAS FOR OTHERS! Nothing ever for Himself! HE lived and wrought "the WAY"! THAT "way" was self-sacrifice for OTHERS! Sacrificing self in the interest of OTHERS was/is the very antithesis of that which we observe in today's world of Christendom; but with a few exceptions.
The Way