{"id":21167,"date":"2017-10-19T00:05:49","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T07:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lccredding.com\/lcc\/?p=11804"},"modified":"2017-10-25T12:17:39","modified_gmt":"2017-10-25T19:17:39","slug":"october-19-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2017\/10\/19\/october-19-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"October 19, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

HIS WORDS <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThen Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, \u2018One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.<\/em>\u2019\u201d Mark 10:21 <\/span><\/p>\n

Take Up the Cross <\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

HIS EXAMPLE TO US
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus literally took up the Cross at Calvary to give us eternal salvation. <\/span><\/p>\n

MY STORY <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve walked with the Lord for a number of years, and yet it seems every time I hear or read the words \u201ctake up the cross\u201d I wonder what it really means. So off to blueletterbible.org I go\u2026 <\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus is asking us to figuratively do what He literally did. He literally carried the Cross on which He would be crucified, and the key is that He carried it willingly for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). It became the proverbial expression usually used by those who, on behalf of God’s cause, do not hesitate cheerfully and confidently to bear persecutions, troubles, distresses \u2014 thus recalling the fate of Christ and the spirit in which He encountered it. <\/span><\/p>\n

As the Lord led me to the above passage in the wee hours of the morning, I was struck by the fact that Jesus loved him. He longed for him, as He longs for us, to give up whatever it is we are holding as having greater value than Him, because He always has something better in mind. <\/span><\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t faced any real persecution yet as a Christian, but I\u2019ve had my share of trouble and distress. Sometimes I\u2019ve faced it cheerfully (joyfully, lighthearted, in good spirits) and manfully (bravely, courageously, resolutely), realizing there is nothing I\u2019ll be called to bear that Christ hasn\u2019t already borne before me. When I focus on Him I truly can do all things in His strength (Philippians 4:13). <\/span><\/p>\n

Honestly, though, there are times when I\u2019m anything but joyful or brave. The young man\u2019s response breaks my heart: \u201cBut he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions<\/em>\u201d (Mark 10:22). How many times have I walked away from what God\u2019s calling me to do, counting the cost too great in the here and now, not looking to the future and what\u2019s really important? What opportunities have I missed to share the gospel, to further His kingdom\u2014walking away when it got too hard or felt too uncomfortable? <\/span><\/p>\n

MY RESPONSE <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus literally went to the Cross for my salvation. He went with a joy for what was beyond the moment; He went because He loved me. When He calls me to walk through persecution, trouble or distress, I\u2019ll call on His strength and His Spirit to help me take up the cross and do the same. I\u2019ve found when I follow Him, though I may not know what the road looks like, or understand the terrain, I never get lost. <\/span><\/p>\n

MY PRAYER
\n<\/span><\/strong>\u201cJesus, thank You for taking up the Cross on our behalf; help us do the same in the areas You call us to. Amen.\u201d<\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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