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| Can We Take Up Our Cross? |
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"If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me" Matthew 16:24
Boy, is that uncomfortable or what? It's not part of the comfort equation, but is part of identifying with Jesus. We have to step out of our comfort zones, whether they be our homes, family, or church.
Step back in time, and look at the cross, look at Jesus. I think that would have been the most horrible thing I could have seen. Jesus carrying the very thing that he would be nailed to. His death on that cross, that He carried...a slow asphysiation. His life ebbing away with each breath, the pain in his hands and feet as He pulled himself up for each breath. His pierced side.....to me, unendurable pain. It would have been horrifying to watch.
Step back to now. His death on that cross is a glorious thing for us. It is the means of our salvation, his life and death on that cross. We couldn't pay the price, He did.
Yet, we find it hard to deny ourselves, and take up the cross and follow. It might mean giving something up, stepping out of our comfort zone...but we are called to do it!
We, too, have crosses to bear, we will experience suffering. Some of these crosses were placed on us by others, some were of our own making, and some are because we're christians. But, Jesus said
"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world" John 16:33
Jesus experienced more pain on that cross than I can imagine! But, on that cross amidst all the suffering, He showed us His power and amazing love!!!! Do I show power in Christ and amazing love through my crosses....and am I willing to take up more and follow?
He gave me the way to do it, through His cross and through these words
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13
Not in my own strength, not in my own will.....but in His!!!!!!!!!! |
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| To add a comment to "Can We Take Up Our Cross?" |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| Cinds when we really love Jesus and do HIS will, we take up our cross every day! let us pray for the strength to do this each day! Great blog. Stushi |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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He became the curse so that I could walk in freedom...A Love greater than anything I could ever imagine, yet in my selfishness I can't put that nasty flesh down so that I can walk in that freedom...Thank You Father for Your Grace and Mercy...In my weakness You are made Strong...Forgive me, correct me when I stray, and show me Father how to rely on You for my strength...and Thank You Father for the Victory...
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| July 08, 2008 |
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Stushi : our strength is through Him and I pray everyday that He continues to give me that strength. Sometimes crosses get thrown at me, and I just don't want to carry them...lately, that's been happening alot......LOLOL
Suga: Amen......the nasty flesh gets us everytime, dips in the road or potholes....we have to overcome through Jesus. I try to give myself a daily and sometimes more reminder that whatever I'm going through is nothing compared to what He went through out of His love for me. |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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o 0 hey Lord? look. down here! IN the pothole. Little help please?
. o
<> |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| Amen lady!! |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| Bub and Cheryl : ahhhhhhhhhh, but what's God doing while you're in the pothole? Cry out to Him and ask Him to 'splain! Love ya'll!!!!!! |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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Good word Who
(and sorry- couldn't help it) |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| LOL... are you kidding? He got down in here with me! haha |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| LOL......I know, seems like I stay in potholes, LOLOL.......and usually a few years later down the road hmmmmmmm, it all becomes clear, and I say "God, why didn't you just tell me that then!!!!" But, I know that answer, lOL......because I wouldn't have listened, LOL |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| LOLOL |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| Being in the pothole is better than being roadkill, right? |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| wooooooooooohoooooooooo Grammy!!!!!! Ain't that the truth????????? |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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OMGosh!!!  |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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Bub : take Grammy's word to heart, ROTFLOLOLOL |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| Cindy, this is excellent wisdom! Are you ready to preach Sunday? I got to thinking while I was reading your post of a verse in Hebrews it says: who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame. He carried that cross for the end result it would bring therefore He was able to endure it. It is the same with us! Our end result will be holiness, maturity, perfectness and a life with Jesus everlasting! Surely we can endure for a little while for He has overcome like you said and we will too! Praise God! Awesome post...God is showing you so much Cindy you are growing through all these trials! |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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Bro Todd : First, thanks! I believe that I have a choice when in trials, I can grow and learn from them or I can wallow in them and die. I choose the first, LOL. Like you said, it's the end result, the big picture that we have to look at. Crosses that I carry aren't who I am, but they show who I am, just like circumstances. So often we get caught up in the pain that we don't look up and see the end result.....we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel ( hope it's not a train, lol).
He overcame so much suffering and pain that I could not endure, how could I do less than give my all......and He was alone to endure it, yet He promised me I wouldn't ever be alone. That's so powerful, knowing that I'm never alone, ever! There's where I find strength, amen? |
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| July 08, 2008 |
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| Amen, so when are you coming to Alabama to preach? |
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| July 09, 2008 |
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| LOLOL.....hmmmmmmm a Razorback in Tide country???? LOL Actually some day I hope to come to Alabama, my grandmother was born there, and my gg-grandfather and gg-grandmother are buried there. And Hubby's paternal family was from there. |
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