Take Up His Cross Daily

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Take Up His Cross Daily

How  in the world will we ever be able  to do it?     It’s too much!     It’s an impossible load!     That’s how we feel  when confronted with a terminal illness,  the confrontation of a hateful  person’s constant attacks,  the devastation of floods and tornadoes,  or anything else  in a catastrophic,  overwhelming  category.     It is impossible to endure such things  by ourselves.

But,  Jesus helps us  as we do things His way.     Regarding the challenges Christians  are sure to face,  Jesus says in Luke 9:23,

If anyone wishes  to come after Me,  let him deny himself,  and take up his cross  daily,  and follow Me.

One day at a time — one step at a time.     We look to God  —  not ourselves.     We cannot live all of our tomorrows of trials in one day.     In following Jesus’  way of life,  we do need  to deny ourselves the ways of the world.     With every temptation,  every calamity,  every sorrow,  we entrust ourselves to our Lord.     We need  to put forth the intention  to stay true  to God’s word,  even though we are hurting deep inside.     It will involve a sacrifice of time,  talents,  personal desires and  our wishes — along with facing persecutions.     We do need to be patient  and enduring  in whatever hardships come our way.

In all of our troubles,  we are not to carry tomorrow’s burdens.     Every day we need  to cast our burdens  upon our Lord  and entrust them  into His care.     God has promised to be with us  every step  of the way — whatever is happening,  we are in His care.     Jesus taught us  in Matthew 6:25,

For this reason I say to you,  do not be anxious  for your life,  as to what you shall eat,  or what you shall drink;  nor for your body,  as to what you shall put on.     Is not life more than food,  and the body than clothing?     Look at the birds of the air,  that they do not sow,  neither do they reap,  nor gather into barns,  and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.     Are you not worth much more than they?

Because  we are worth so much to the Lord  (We know that  because He willingly suffered and died  to pay for our sins.),  we can trust Him  to care for us  one day at a time.     Jesus said His follower will  “take up his cross daily“.     Every day  we put it all  in the Lord’s care  and every day  we willingly do what  is necessary  to let our faith be proven — just a little  at a time.     As we take up whatever burdens God gives us,  we are following Him.     We are being a witness  that God is carrying us through our predicaments.     We live the same way Jesus did — in faithfulness,  love,  humility,  patience,   and service .

As we walk daily with Jesus,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  You lived Your whole life on earth  in service to us.     Help us  to step forward each day  with You by our side.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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