What Cross Are You Carrying?
And calling the crowd to Him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Mark 8:34).
As we've entered Holy week are you taking time to pause, and really think about this week and all that it stands for? This coming Friday is "Good Friday" when we celebrate in remembrance of all that Christ did for us by giving up His life that we may live an eternal life with Him in Heaven. As a blood-bought Christian saved and filled with the Holy Ghost, we have a promise. That promise says "And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are One [in essence and nature].” John 10:28-30 AMP
Glory Hallelujah that is something to shout about!
We have something else to shout about. Christ didn't leave us to figure it out all by ourselves. Just like Christ had a cross to carry, we have one as well. This is not about worry, fret, or fear, but tells us that there will be troubles and opposition when we are living for Christ, but we are not alone. Thank God He rose again on the third day and reminds us in this scripture where it says "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you" John 16:7. We have a helper that is with us always. Yes, we are going to go through challenges in life because of whose we are, but we are not built to worry and be in fear about our lives and future. No, give it to the Lord.
Worry and fear are not part of our cross to bear. As Christians, we have a voice, a praise, a shout, a prayer, and a war cry that moves mountains and makes demons tremble. We have God-given authority and should not be carrying extra unnecessary loads when we have a creator, savior, and a comforter on our side.
Today I challenge you to carry your cross of affliction with faith in knowing that God is with you. When challenges come, people turn against you, lies are told on you, sickness attacks your body, money is getting low and bills are overdue remember "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” John 16:33.
Take some time this week to remember all that Christ did for you and for me. Don't lose focus on what really matters. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour". Satan comes with distractions wanting us to focus on petty things and to be filled with fear and anxiety when we have our attention on things that are not about the Father's business. Be encouraged beloved, stay focused and remember to Keep Looking Up!
“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],
Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation] Isaiah 26:3.
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