"If anyone wishes to come after Me,
he must deny himself,
and take up his cross
and follow Me."
Matthew 16:24
"He who does not take his cross
and follow after Me
is not worthy of Me."
Matthew 10:38
The cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful (Mark 4:19).
I tell you that you have less to suffer in following the Cross than in serving the world and its pleasures. -- St. John Vianney
Lord, teach me to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:12).
