(Luke 9:23)
Jesus said to "pick up the cross and follow Me".
For Jesus, the cross He bore was the sins of mankind. God has not asked any
of us to bear such a burden, but we each do have a cross we are asked to
bear. For some of you, it may be a marriage that is in trouble. Many are
bearing a cross of physical affliction. Some are bearing a cross of
financial difficulties. We each have a cross that God has asked us to bear.
How we bear that cross each day becomes the challenge we face. Let me give
you some insight I have gleaned from the Word of God in regard to this.
First is having a right attitude. God promised not to give you more than
you
can handle. Trust Him. He loves you and knows you better than you know
yourself. Second, realize that you can't do anything in your own strength.
Oftentimes the cross we bear keeps us humble and constantly reminded that
it
is not in our strength that we live, but in His. Lastly, give thanks for the
cross God has given you. Give thanks? The Bible tells us to give thanks in
ALL things. That includes those things that we may not be very thankful
for.
Don't forget my friend, nothing happens in your life that God doesn't know
about or allow to happen. So yes, give thanks even for your burdens, because
God has a plan and is doing things you cannot even see or understand.
The best advice I can give you today to help you carry that cross God has
given you, is to stay close to Him. Be in prayer and the Word each day.
Be in church and fellowship with other Christians. Find ways to serve God. All
of
these things working together keep you focused on Him. The farther you get
from God, the
heavier that cross will become. It is through carrying the cross each
day that we become perfected and more like Him. Rejoice today, carry your
cross with thanksgiving, know that God is walking with you every step of the
way!
I love you, and care about you so much. Know that when you get weary, when
your cross
becomes too heavy, I am here to help you. God has given me an incredible
blessing to
be able to be here each day for you...to pray, to stand in the gap, to
counsel you through
those difficult times in life we all go through. Never hesitate to reach
out and contact me. I am here.
I will be praying for you today, praying that you will pick up your cross
and follow Jesus today.
