When Jesus said, "If ANYONE would come after me, he must deny himself take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23 NIV (Emphasis added) He actually meant EVERYONE is welcome to come after Him. 

In the message on Sunday, I focused on how Jesus welcomed people from many different backgrounds to be His "talmid" or students.  While most rabbis had a rigid system of for selecting their talmid, Jesus seemed to select them at random.  He had fishermen, a political rabbi and a tax collector among His students.  When the crowds saw Jesus' talmid, they must have started to wonder, "When Jesus says anyone, does He really mean EVERYONE?"  He does.  That's cool for us, because while we may not have been the first person selected in gym class, while we may not be the first one people choose at work when we have to work on a project together, maybe our moms and dads didn't even choose us first when handing out love, but Jesus chooses each one of us, as if there were only one of us!

As you go about the day, remember: Jesus invited YOU to be one of His followers.  He keeps inviting you until you say, "Yes."  Then He leads and guides you through the Holy Spirit, and one day, You will get to live with Him for eternity.  Jesus chose you.  All that you have to do is respond.  All you have to do is say, "Yes," and then start to live in the grace, forgiveness and power of the Holy Spirit.  No matter how you look at it, that's a big win for you---and for me, because I'm part of EVERYONE, too.  Let's live today in the joy of those who know that we belong to Jesus, and that He loves us so much that He died, rose again, and will one day come to claim us forever!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, thank You for including EVERYONE in the anyone, when it comes to those who Jesus calls to follow Him!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may live faithfully as His followers today and every day!  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.