And Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

It was big news on Friday when Phil Mickelson defeated Tiger Woods in "The Match." This one-on-one dual ended on the 22nd hole and Phil took home a prize purse of $9 million. And while you may quickly conclude, "I would love to make $9 million for a round of golf," this would be a mistake. It was not a single match, but rather the accumulation of millions of practice hours, thousands of swings, hundreds of competitions, and decades of skill developed and experience that led to four hours on a golf course resulting in one hole played better than his opponent - Tiger Woods nonetheless. Now that is what $9 million commitment looks like - a long commitment to a single game. And Jesus called us to the same type of commitment. Except ours is not a commitment to hitting a small white ball down a fairway into a hole - it's one of self-denial for a lifetime.

DO THIS: Increase your commitment.

PRAYER: God, I am committed to many things but waver in my spiritual commitment. Help me to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow you.