Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

Luke 9:23-25, "And he said to them all, 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?'"

I used to read the scriptures above and cringe. Taking up my cross daily seemed terribly unappealing and painful, and we humans try to avoid pain at all costs. However, as I studied these verses closely and considered what they mean to me personally, I discovered this is truly where freedom lies.

What does your cross look like? I think of my cross as something that is extremely difficult—just plain grueling—something that absolutely grinds away at my natural, old sinful nature. Humanly speaking, I am no match for it. Without God’s help, my cross will defeat me every single time. If I’m not “in step” with the Holy Spirit and “studied up” in God’s Word, I’ll veer off in the wrong direction, every single time. What about you? Can you carry your cross alone…without the help of Jesus?

The cross represents countless things. I don’t think we’ll fully comprehend its full significance until we finally reach our heavenly home and bow at the feet of our Savior. Only then will we realize all that He accomplished at Calvary on our behalf and ultimately for God’s glory.

Let’s look at some of the things the cross represents…

Love

Victory

Salvation

Freedom

Eternal life

Grace

Mercy

Do these attributes give you a slightly different perspective about taking up your cross daily and following Christ? When we take up our cross and choose God’s way, ultimately, we win every time and He receives the glory.

Now, I must provide the following caveat: the cross is very painful to my human nature but oh so sweet to my new life in Christ because it aligns with His perfect will.

Through Christ living in me…

when I choose love instead of hate

mercy instead of revenge

grace instead of anger

selflessness instead of selfishness

freedom instead of bondage

…God is honored and the benefits are eternal.

Jesus knew we couldn’t carry our cross alone. When He spoke those words over 2000 years ago, He saw you…here…today. He knew precisely which cross He would ask you to bear, and He knew you would be able to victoriously carry it for Him, but only with His help. When He said “take up his cross daily, and follow me,” it was never His intention for us to solely go through life dragging our cross. He knows our frame; He knew the burden would be way too heavy for us frail humans. He knew we would need divine strength.

That’s why He also said, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

My sweet friend, if you have been trying to carry your cross alone, may I encourage you today to run to Jesus and request His help? May I remind you, as I remind myself, that our cross will ultimately be a blessing? It will lead us to victory. It will lead us to life. As we walk with Jesus daily, His Word strengthens us and His Spirit enables us to do what is otherwise humanly impossible. Come to Jesus, lean on Him, and He will give you rest.

I’d like to leave you with this song. Be encouraged and carry on!

"I Am Crucified with Christ" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

The Conclusion of the Matter Is...

Have you ever frantically searched and searched for an item only to realize you were looking in the wrong place? The item finally turned up in a completely different location from where you had originally rummaged. You could have looked in the wrong place all day long, and the item still would not have appeared.

I’ve been in this situation more than once lately…searching and searching…only to find the misplaced item in another room. Oddly enough, our relationship with God is similar.

God designed us to long for Him and have a loving relationship with Him…a rich relationship that no person or thing could ever fill. However, we humans often search for His love in all the wrong places. Only after we become so desperate, so disillusioned, so discontented, so disappointed, we come to our senses and realize absolutely NOTHING or NO ONE will satisfy our longing but God Himself.

The author of Ecclesiastes found himself in this situation. He was obviously very wealthy and had the resources to buy or try just about anything on God’s green earth. He built houses and planted vineyards, gardens, and orchards. He built pools, hired servants, possessed cattle and silver and gold. He hired entertainers of all sorts. If his eyes desired something, he wasted no time in getting it. From all outward appearances and from the world’s perspective, he was a VERY successful man. However, at the end of the day when he was still and quiet from all the day’s activities, he realized…all this “stuff” was vanity. He actually began to hate his life because he realized how futile all his effort and material possessions were. Even though he possessed just about anything humanly imaginable, He still had that longing, that God-sized hole in his soul that no one or nothing else could satisfy.

The writer finally comes to his senses and sets out on a pursuit of God and His ways. Ah! That’s when he finds true satisfaction and contentment. He realizes that God owns it all, and we are only stewards or caretakers of whatever gifts He bestows on us.

The writer does some deep soul searching and concludes that no matter what level of life we find ourselves, we are all in the “same boat”…desperately in need of a savior and our all-wise and sovereign God.

He realized that a “good name” is better than earthly possessions.

He realized that sweet sleep after an honest day’s work is a gift from God.

He realized he wasn’t quite as smart as he thought he was.

He realized that God desires for us to enjoy the life that He so lovingly gave us here for this moment on earth.

And finally…his conclusion of the whole matter of life was, “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

What an awesome bottom line! Wouldn’t it be grand if we would all heed that conclusion from the “get go” and not set out on a wild goose chase after stuff and people who could never fill our longing for the One True God?

If you haven't yet found Him, I pray you will, and if you have already discovered that sweet fellowship with my Jesus, I'm so thankful.  May He satisfy your deepest longing today.

The Least of These

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:31-40 (NIV)

Recently, I was reminded of the parable above as my husband and some fellow brothers in Christ returned from helping a gentleman who was struggling through a tough period in his life. The gentleman had recently lost his job and his only remaining possessions were the clothes on his back. After spending the afternoon helping him, my husband learned that the gentleman had been living under a bridge in the frigid temperatures. After providing him with a hot meal, work clothes, groceries, other necessities, a warm room in which to stay until he was able to "get back on his feet," and making an employment contact, my husband returned home with an even more grateful heart and appreciation for God's provision of our humble life. 

I read the scriptures above to my sweet and tired man and assured him that he had done the right thing.  I knew God was pleased because of my husband's and his friends' obedience to God's Word. They had fed and clothed and sacrificed their resources to help another sojourner along the way, and our Heavenly Father was honored. His children had treated another individual with respect and grace and love just like God treats us. 

I often wonder when needy people cross our path if God has intentionally placed that person in our life not only for us to help them but to test our hearts...to see what's really there. We study God's Word, we pray, we attend church services, we verbalize who we think we are; however, not until we're tested do we truly know. Our actions speak so much louder than our words. 

1 John 3:17 reminds us, "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"

May God richly bless you today, and may you turn right around and bless another soul, and consequently bless our Heavenly Father right back by honoring Him with your obedience and actions. Look for opportunities; they may be closer than you think. And when The King returns one day soon, you'll be so glad you did as you stand on his right-hand side and enter the Kingdom He is preparing for you.   

Turn My Feet

"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies." Psalm 119:59

This short little verse spoke volumes to me as I read it recently.  The psalmist paints a vivid picture of pausing, considering, and actually turning in the opposite direction when he was confronted with temptation.  When he wrote this scripture, He must have found himself in a should I/shouldn't I, yes/no, good/evil, life/death, healthy/unhealthy, blessing/sin, I want to/I don't want to situation. However, he paused, pondered on God's Word, and made an excellent choice.  

I probably need to plaster this scripture to my forehead or tape a Post-it note to my hand to remind myself to think, really think, and turn my feet before I...

speak

                 react

                               eat

Many times we blurt out words, react harshly toward others, make unhealthy food choices, etc., etc., before pausing to consider the consequences and even more importantly, reminding ourselves what God's Word says about the matter. 

When we find ourselves ready to make a bad choice, can you imagine the peace that would overflow in our lives, the reduced stress, the healthy benefits, the closeness to our Heavenly Father...if we would only pause, consider His testimonies, and turn our feet toward His ways?

Happy Valentine's Day

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NLT)

Think on These Things

In a world where we’re constantly blasted with snippets of bad news and barraged with worldwide images of horrific events, if we remain focused on these, we can become so overwhelmed that our focus is sidetracked.

Yes, it cannot be denied, we live in a troubled, fallen world who desperately needs Jesus. We don’t have to look far to see needs and sad circumstances all around us.

And that’s precisely the reason our hope and focus must remain on Jesus and all that He is.

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Let’s break it down…

• Whatsoever things are true – God’s Word is 100% true. Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, we can find comfort, counsel, and assurance in His Word. God is not surprised by our circumstances. He knows all – from beginning to end, and He stands ready and willing to help if we humble ourselves before Him, seek Him, and ask. Think on God’s Word and promises.


• Whatsoever things are honest – honesty goes right along with truth. If we keep our minds set on honest things, peace will rule our heart.


• Whatsoever things are just – Unjust acts tear my heart out. When I see innocent victims, it's almost unbearable; however, I must remember that one day, in God's courtroom, justice will prevail.  I certainly don't claim to understand the rampant, unjust circumstances in our world; however, I serve the One who does. So we must leave those heartbreaking, unexplainable situations with Him, trust His sovereignty, and pray for the victims as well as their perpetrators. We serve a just God -- think on Him.


• Whatsoever things are pure – "pure" = unpolluted, uncontaminated. As we continually fill our minds and hearts with God’s pure Word and begin to align our thoughts with His, we’ll soon realize our "acts" follow and bring Him glory.


• Whatsoever things are lovely – some synonyms of “lovely” are pleasant, agreeable, delightful, and wonderful. May I challenge you to dig in the treasury of God’s Word, discover His wonderful promises and answers to prayer, and start thinking, praying, and believing on these lovely things.


• Whatsoever things are of good report – God’s Word is filled with excellent things He has in store for you and me to glorify Him. These are good reports – think on these things and be transformed to His likeness!


• If there be any virtue – “virtue” = high merit, desirable quality, good worth. Think about what you’ve been thinking about. Is there any high merit or worth to it? Will those thoughts eventually accomplish good things that bring honor to God? If so, keep thinking them; if not, replace those unhealthy, unproductive thoughts with virtuous thoughts.


• If there be any praise – are our thoughts praiseworthy? Do they glorify God or, ugh, tear others and ourselves down?

Eventually our thoughts become our actions. Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that whatever we think, we become. Ouch!

May I encourage you, along with myself, today to intentionally think excellent, pure, godly thoughts…thoughts that honor God…thoughts that will manifest in our lives toward encouraging others…thoughts that bring peace and joy even in the midst of a troubled world. If you find yourself, as I often do, thinking negative thoughts toward yourself, think thoughts of who God says you are through Christ Jesus…radically loved, righteous, holy, blameless, not condemned, strong in Him, overcomer, fully equipped!

Think on these things and have a hopeful, blessed day! He rules and reigns!

Don't Forget Your Armor!

Ephesians 6 (NIV)

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

************************

Have you considered your Christian uniform lately? As children of the Most High God, He daily provides all that we need to stand against the schemes of satan.

Let’s review our spiritual armor from head to toe…

• Helmet of salvation – Christ, our One and Only Savior, has rescued us from God’s wrath; He is our salvation!
  
  
• Breastplate of righteousness – In God’s eyes, we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness, which is given to us through faith in Him. Amazing, isn’t it!!
  
  
• Belt of truth – God’s Word is absolute truth. In a world where there are few absolutes, we can cling to God’s Word. It is our firm foundation on which we can stand, believe, and trust. Though the world around us may crumble, God’s Word stands forever!
  
  
• Shield of faith – When satan flings his fiery darts at us, may we be swift to thrust the shield of our faith at him, reminding him that he is defeated! 1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  
  
• Sword of the Spirit – May we be quick to wield the Word of God as our sword against satan’s attacks. He cannot stand the truth. God’s Word is sharper than any two-edged sword!
  
  
• Feet shod with the gospel of peace through Christ Jesus – through His salvation, we are at peace with God.
  
  
• Prayer – Throughout our busy days, may we always be in an attitude of prayer…“pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” Ephesians 6:18
  

Dear friend, please don’t forget your spiritual armor. Each morning, put it on, and if you have children, remind them to put on theirs also. Just like we need physical clothing to protect us from heat and cold, even more so we must arm ourselves with each element of God’s armor.

Meditate on and remember all God has equipped us with during our earthly journey...salvation, His Word, His Spirit, peace, faith, victory, righteousness, truth. Think on these things and speak them out loud if you need to. God knew precisely what we would need to survive and thrive in this ol' world, so He tucked those verses in Ephesians 6 for our instruction.

He knew we would have struggles and disappointments.

He knew there would be days of doubt.

He knew we would be tempted.

However, you are a mighty warrior through Christ! So, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power and STAND! FIRM! TIL JESUS RETURNS OR CALLS YOU HOME!