Good morning! How are we faithing? Taking up ones cross has been preached on and discussed since Jesus walked the earth. To many times it has been interpreted as suffering only. While we all who walk on this blue orb suffer from time to time, taking up ones cross is not always a suffering proposition. We must be careful we do not fall for ritual or religious dogmatic thinking. Taking up ones cross as to being beaten, poor, suffering afflictions etc. comes from our view of Jesus carrying his cross to his crucifixion. While this imagery is an important lesson to what some reality can be we must also remember most times this cross carrying is more about us living and witnessing to the lost, reaching for holy living and working out our salvation, not earning that salvation but working through all the things we face as a child of God. How we live directly relates to this cross bearing. We believers should be living and growing in Christ daily and that too is carrying ones cross. Whatever mantle or walk God has for you is yours to carry. What the Holy Spirit leads you to do in your walk with Christ, your cross bearing, is for you and may not be the same for me or for your neighbor. Don't fall for the enemies lies and his put down of you if your walk is not lock step with everyone else. God may have you in an area I can't relate or even understand. You seek out your cross to bear in prayer and supplication, in daily reading of the Word, in listening to that still small voice. The Greek word used for cross, besides the literal wooden stake, means to abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand. Isn't that interesting.
Mar 8:34
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
1Pe 4:1-5
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the cross. Thank you for saving us. We ask for wisdom and courage to take up our cross to follow after you. Teach us to be mindful of you in all we do. Grant us peace in out walk with you this day, in Jesus name, amen
Mar 8:34
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
1Pe 4:1-5
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the cross. Thank you for saving us. We ask for wisdom and courage to take up our cross to follow after you. Teach us to be mindful of you in all we do. Grant us peace in out walk with you this day, in Jesus name, amen
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