TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

In this time when we are confined to quarters, use this time for prayer and ask the Lord to help you in redeeming the time!  At the end of this short devotional, I have included 4 easy steps for you to use in making the most of this 'shelter in place' period.  Please know that I am using this time to pray for you!  Pastor Kevin

– WHY TAKE UP YOUR CROSS? –

1) We take up his cross to participate in his suffering. 

2) We participate in his suffering to join in his resurrection. 

3) We join in his resurrection to enter into new life. 

Jesus’ time on earth was marked by a beautiful journey of serving others. He followed the words and will of his Father, and he ultimately suffered a terrible death on a cross. 

Yet most invitations to follow Jesus arrive gift-wrapped with a promise of love and a trouble-free, successful, and wonderful life. It would seem that Jesus’ true invitation has gotten lost along the way. 

Jesus carried his cross for us, and now he invites us to take up our crosses for him:

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’” – Mathew 16:24–25 (ESV) 

His invitation is to a life like his—a life of suffering. It’s not a great sales line, but then again, Jesus isn’t interested in selling you anything. He wants you to understand how much he loves you, and he wants you to know what he was willing to endure for your sake.  

• If you choose to follow Jesus, you will begin to love God more than you love yourself. But because we live in a world that does not understand your devotion, you may suffer. 
• If you choose to follow Jesus, you will follow his commands rather than the world’s. And when you live contrary to the values of the culture, you may suffer. 
• If you choose to follow Jesus, you will become more generous with your time and your resources. There may be some individuals who will abuse your generosity, and you may suffer.  

Our suffering shouldn’t surprise us. It’s just as Jesus said it would be:

“‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.’” – John 16:33 (ESV)

– HOW TO TAKE UP YOUR CROSS –

If we decide to take up our crosses, it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. Because many of us may struggle to picture what it looks like, here are four practical (yet difficult) ways to take up our crosses on a daily basis. By Doug Franklin

1.) Spend time in prayer with the Lord.  Don't just make it a quickie, a short couple of minutes, but ask Him to help you be more hungry for His Word and in prayer.  Ask Him to teach you how to be more effective and powerful in your prayers.  

And pray for your friends.  If you don't know how to pray or what to pray, ask the Lord to show you.

2.)  Spend time in God's Word.  If you don't know where to begin, I suggest you begin in the Gospel of Matthew were we have been studying when we've been together.  As you read, ask God to help you understand and apply the lessons to your life.  

Remember, our faith is a relationship with Jesus Christ, not a mere belief system or character development excercise.  This a critical for all of us to know Him and love Him!

3.)  Keep your eyes open to those around you.  Always be prepared to help or serve another person, whether a neighbor, or a parent or another family member.  Jesus taught often of the importance of putting other people's interests before our own, making their interests more important than our own.  

This is particularly important for each of us because as we do this, we begin to have a better understanding of our purpose and place, our reason for truly being here before God.  We involve ourselves in what God Himself is doing and asking Him to live in us and work in us to accomplish His will!

4.)  Put your phones and devices away.  Get your work done and don't put it off.  Discipline yourself to only spending an hour a day using them.  Read, make sure your homework and studies are finished.  Maybe get some board games out and invites your parents and siblings to join in.  These can be a lot of fun to keep you entertained in these long days and weeks ahead.

If you have to use your phone, call someone.  Actually make a person to person phone call where you can talk with them.  Don't text.  CALL!  I had a phone conversation with an old friend last night that lasted an hour and a half.  He thanked me for calling him and for staying in touch.

One thing I have learned in my life, in most good relationships, you have to be the one to initiate the connections.  You have to be the one to call and invite to lunch or coffee.  You have to be the one to stay in touch because very often, others don't do it, they often don't reciprocate.  Don't be offended if they don't call you.

In the meantime, I will be sending out devotionals regularly to you, so access this blog often to see what is the latest.  Since we cannot get together, know that I am thinking of you.  If the weather warms up a bit, perhaps we can meet at the church for some outside games and fun.  I miss all of you.  AND I am praying for all of you.  If you need anything, please call me,

In Christ,

Pastor Kevin