THE CROSS
Suggested Reading: Matthew 10
Key Verse: Matthew 10:38
“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”
Located in modern-day Nazareth, "Nazareth Village" re-enacts daily life from the time of Jesus, 2000 years ago.
1000 years before the crucifixion of Christ, King David in Psalm 22 wrote, “They pierced my hands and my feet” (verse 16b). Crucifixion was unknown at that time. Yet at least 10 statements in that Psalm describe the sufferings of our Lord. Likewise, God knew in advance all about your journey bearing the cross. His provision of Grace for you is all you need for today. So whatever sacrfice you are called to make will be worth it. Joy will be yours. Hebrews 12:2 tells you of Jesus,”Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross.” This is your “Journey into JOY!”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord Jesus, I am your follower. Therefore, I have no alternative but to “Take up my cross.” I do so in obedience to you. Please grant me the grace not only to endure, but to enter into JOY! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
A response from one of my blog participants from last Saturday was “How can I have a faith like yours?” I don’t claim great faith…childlike faith, yes! I’m convinced that the maximum and the minimum faith is simple OBEDIENCE. Last night and again this morning I made this confession, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). This confession has been my habit for years. I don’t plan to stop as long as I live.
In Christ’s Love and Service,
David
A great 20th century theologian Karl Batth, when asked to give a summary of faith in what he believed stated “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so”. Simple child-like faith is what Jesus wants us to have … for faith even as small as a mustard seed here on earth, will be GREAT in our new home in heaven. Isn’t this something to be excited about? Praise God!!!
Sorry, typo … Should have read as ‘Karl Barth’.
Hi David!! What a blessing to actually walk with you through this
Precious part of your day!!
I have watched you from the time I got saved in 1985 to date. As a new Christian God had alot of JUNK to clean up in myself including “Social
Alcoholism” and addictive drug habits. I really worried at that time that because I kept trying and failing He would give up on me. The
Mustard Seed scripture was given to me and I held on for dear life…And He Was True to HIS WORD.. BUT!! After trying to walk faithfully with Him for 26 years traumatic events in my life brought me to the place of falling back into both sins.Again I feel powerless to stop and AGAIN I struggle with fear that to go back to that”Vomit” as The Word” says, I will eventually be cast away!! So as an older faithful saint of His..did you ever struggle like this?? Was your life up and DOWN……will He deliver me once again?? Am I His forever?? Or am I now lost having “tasted the goodness of God” and falling back???You are an AMAZING
FRUITFUL FAITHFUL MAN OF GOD!!What say you…….?????Rose
He will never leave or forsake you, I have fell so many times and each time back, God became bigger, more real and I learnt somthing and was changed. Hold on, he will never let go.
If I cmoumicnated I could thank you enough for this, I’d be lying.
Thankyou for this blog. I am starting it late. Now in August. I do one in the morning and one in the evening to catch up. I also find that reading the comments from other readers helpful and therapeutic.
Thankyou again…Lorna