Jesus Took Up His Cross - We Must Too! (Part 2)

 “…he who does not take his cross and 

follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” 

(Matthew 10:38 NKJV)

    We  studied last week what it means to take up your cross: committing yourself wholly to Christ, understanding you will never return to your former life.

    While under Roman rule people would have watched those carrying their crosses to the place of crucifixion. Some, without pity, would have mocked and ridiculed those who were bearing their burden. When Jesus instructs us to take up our cross and follow Him we understand that in following Him we will be mocked just as He was (Mark 15:16-20), ridiculed just as He was (Mark 15:29-32), and hated just as He was (John 15: 18-21), and still we will continue to follow Him.

“I have given them Your word; 

and the world has hated them 

because they are not of the world. 

Just as I am not of the world.” 

(John 17:14 NKJV)

    The world will judge you and criticize you for following Jesus, because in following Him you are no longer living “in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God”(1 Peter 4:2). Those who happily accompanied you in your former activities will “think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation” (1 Peter 4:4, read verse 3 for definition of dissipation), and then what will they do? They will speak evil of you; they will mock you and your cross, they will ridicule you simply because you have chosen a different – and better – way; Jesus endured it and so can you (Matthew 10:22)!

    Jesus has already walked the path we are on. He knows and He understands (Hebrews 4:14-15)!

“…when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable to God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we , having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24 NKJV)

     Jesus left us a perfect example of how to endure suffering at the hands of the world (consider also Matthew 5:44-48), and not only that but He gave His very life in obedience to the Father so that we who have died to sins (Romans 6:1-14), having taken up our cross to follow Him, might live for righteousness!

    To be like the Son in 2021 (and be worthy of Christ) you must be willing to die to sin and live for righteousness - Jesus provided all we need to do just that: He provided the means through fulfilling God’s plan (Matthew 1:21, Romans 6:22-23, John 17:4, 19:30), He left us an example to follow, and He is ready and able to help us as we walk in His steps (Hebrews 4:16, John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5-6)!!

God has provided all through Jesus. Be willing to take up your cross and follow Him, be willing to do whatever is necessary to be more like Him and be worthy of Him – no matter what the world says – trust God and continue to be more like Jesus!!

You can do it!! So can I!!

 

Jesus Took Up His Cross - We Must Too! (Part 1)

 “…he who does not take his cross 

and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” 

(Matthew 10:38 NKJV)

     Taking up one’s cross was a significant and instantly understood concept in Jesus’ time. Under Roman rule, death by crucifixion became a terrifying reality for those convicted; when one had to take up his own cross it was known by all that he would not be coming back.

     Are you willing to take up your cross, turn away from your former life, never to return to it, to follow Jesus?

 “No one, having put his hand to the plow, 

and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” 

(Luke 9:62 NKJV)

    Jesus wants us to commit wholly to Him. He wants us to have a willingness to die to self, to die to the world and its ways, to “put to death the old man of sin” (Colossians 3:9-10, Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 6:3-8), and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4) by carefully following His example in righteousness and obedience (Ephesians 5:1-21, 1 Peter 2:21-24). 

 

 “”But if anyone draws back, 

My soul has no pleasure in him.” 

But we are not of those who 

draw back to destruction, 

but of those who believe 

to the saving of the soul.” 

(Hebrews 10:38-39 NKJV)

     If you are still considering the cost of following Christ, if you are still trying to figure a way to keep a foot in the world while ‘exploring’ a life with Christ, I beg you to let go and simply trust that God’s way IS the best way. What He has in store for His children in this life and beyond this life is SO much better than anything the world could ever offer us! God’s way is lasting and eternal, the world can only offer momentary pleasure – don’t forfeit your soul for a moment’s pleasure – find lasting peace, contentment, and joy in following Christ! Let today be the day!! 

    If you have taken up your cross and are following Christ – keep going! Don’t look back! What is ahead of you is SO much better than anything you left behind! Do all that is necessary to stay the course, keep your hand to the plow, and walk worthy of Christ! We are not of those who look back nor draw back to the old ways that lead to destruction. Let’s keep pressing forward, growing in resolve to follow Jesus!!

You can do it! So can I!

 

Jesus Denied Self - We Must Too!

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24 NKJV)

    Jesus spent His time here in doing the Father's will (consider His determination at age twelve, Luke 2:49). He did not seek after earthly things like fame/prestige (consider Matthew 9:30-31), houses (Matthew 8:20), or riches (2 Corinthians 8:9). His very food (what nourished Him and kept Him going) was to do His Father's will AND finish it (John 4:31-34)!  

    Jesus did not come with His own words, but the Father's - so all glory and reverence would be to His Father (John 12:49; 14:23-24).

"...not My will, but Yours, be done." 

 (Luke 22:42 NKJV)

    Jesus did not come to do His own will, but the Father's (John 6:38) - so that God's plan from eternity would be accomplished - and our faith and hope would be in the Father (1 Peter 1:18-21).

    We too, must deny our own self - our earthly desires/pursuits that can distract and consume us (2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Timothy 6:6-19) - and instead submit wholly to God; His Word, His will, His way! Jesus said that "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternity." (John 12:25 NKJV) Note: "hate" in this verse means to 'love [our own life] less than we love the Lord.'  - we must love God more than life (Psalm 63:1-5)!!

 

"Do not love the world of the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life - is not of the Father but of the world. and the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17 NKJV)  

 

       Jesus came, He lived for God, and He died for us - why? The answer is found in 2 Corinthians 5:15: "...He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."

 

    Are you willing to give up your preconceived ideas and notions and instead submit to God's word and will? Are you willing to exchange your pursuits for worldly gain for a pursuit of righteousness? Are you willing to get out of your own comfort zone and follow Jesus? It all begins with denying self! To be more like the Son in 2021 we must deny self and selfish pursuits - are you willing?

 

     Let's live in such a selfless way that all we say and do brings glory to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16, 2 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Peter 2:11-12) - just as Jesus did!!

 

 

You can do it! So can I!!

 

 

 

 

Jesus Patiently Endured - We Should Too (Part 2)

      Jesus quietly endured the mounting hatred and hostility and did not complain, He patiently heard the slanderous speeches and remained kind; He handled the ill-treatment of those close to Him with calm composure. 

    Can we say the same for ourselves?

    Some of us may be more like Peter who was quick to grab a sword and start swinging (consider Proverbs 12:18). We want to wage a holy war the very moment our "righteous indignation" is ignited - or at least we act that way - maybe we are not so reactive as to lash out in the moment, but we carry it around with us and complain constantly about our experience (sometimes even online), we harbour our irritation and purposely behave in negative ways so that unknowing people feel obliged to ask us what is wrong and give us yet another opportunity to "vent."

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-120 NKJV)

    In following Jesus' example we learn that He did not burden His family nor His friends with complaints of unfairness or ill-treatment, He quietly went to His Father (who is the righteous Judge of every situation, 1 Peter 2:19-24), and surely prayed for help, comfort, peace, strength, and wisdom - just as we should be doing (1 Peter 5:7, Hebrews 4:14-16, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Colossians 1:9-11, James 1:5). 

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." (Psalm 62:8 NKJV)

    Jesus asks us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him - to walk in His steps means to do what He did - endure patiently without complaint. We need to teach ourselves to run to God when we feel hurt or mistreated, lay our bruised and broken parts out before Him and discover the wondrous way in which He can heal them!

    You want to be more like the Son on 2021? Put away complaining and begin praying, so you can learn to patiently endure and use your words for edifying others (Ephesians 4:29-32)!

You can do it! So can I!!

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ...it is good for me to draw near to GOD, I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works." (Psalm 73:25-26, 28 NKJV)   

    

     

Jesus Patiently Endured - We Should Too!

 

 

    We are called to be different from the world – that is what ‘holy’ and ‘saint’ mean – “like the Lord/different from the world” (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 11:1, John 15:18-21). Being different from the world has never been more needful, especially in North America. We are being coerced into believing that we need to support groups that go against God’s laws. Members of the church are being persuaded that progress is needed, but in what direction is the world’s “progress” leading? Because we hold to God's ways, we are being called names and ridiculed for our “archaic” and “narrow-minded” beliefs.

     We will suffer for doing what is good. When that happens, God instructs us to follow Jesus’ example and take our suffering patiently – never letting the persecutions shift our focus (Philippians 3:13-14, Colossians 3:1-4), not allowing it to cause us to talk like the world through complaints and threats, but instead wholly trust in God, in His commands, and in His promises (Hebrews 11:6), just as Jesus did (Hebrews 12:2)!

Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-23):

• committed no sin 
• no deceit found in His mouth
• when He was reviled, did not revile in return
• when He suffered He did not threaten
• He committed himself to God who judges righteously

Following in Jesus’ steps, you and I:

• do our very best to avoid sin by walking prayerfully and carefully (Ephesians 5:1-17)
• do our very best to know the Truth (John 8:31-32), speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25, 29-32), and live the truth without hypocrisy (Luke 6:46-49, Titus 1:16). We respect God enough to represent Him properly to the world in all that we do.
• do not throw insult back at insult (Colossians 3:8-10, 12-15)
• do not threaten to repay hurt (Romans 12:17-21)  
• remember that God sees all and knows all – He is the righteous Judge; He truly knows who is at fault. We trust in His help, care, and comfort (Hebrews 4:16, 1 Peter 5:6-7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7)!

    To this we were called. Knowing this, let us prepare ourselves by daily putting on the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), prayerfully making our requests known to God with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7),  spend time meditating on what is true, just, and noble (Philippians 4:8), and filling our minds/hearts with His truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17), so we are always ready to give a defense for our hope, with meekness and with fear (1 Peter 3:15)!

You can do it! So can I!!

Jesus Prayed Often - So Should We!

      

    Jesus prayed early in the morning, in the evening, and even through the night. Many of us follow this pattern with prayers soon after we open our eyes in the morning and prayers again before we close our eyes at night (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Just as the Psalmist wrote that he would declare God's lovingkindness in the morning, and His faithfulness every night (Psalm 92:1-2) Jesus, desiring to honour His Father, would have been thankful to Him, given praise to Him, and given Him the glory due His name.  

    Some of us may have even been through times of great concern and upheaval in which we have either stayed up to pray through the night or prayed every time we woke from our troubled sleep. Just as Jesus would have experienced, we too, can find great comfort and strength in casting our cares on God (1 Peter 5:7) and pleading with Him for His mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16, Luke 18:1-7).

    Jesus prayed before, after, and sometimes during big events in His life. Jesus prayed at His baptism (Luke 3:21), after healing people all evening (Mark 1:35), before walking on the water (Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, John 6:15), before choosing the twelve apostles , at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-29), 3x in the Garden of Gethsemane before He was tried and crucified (Matthew 26:36-46), and 3x while on the cross (Luke 23:34, Matthew 27:46, Luke 23:46). 

    We need to teach ourselves to go to God in prayer before big decisions are made or big events are planned AND after decisions are made and events happen. We should work toward it being our first thought and greatest comfort to seek God's help, strength, and wisdom for all that we do, so much so that we pray to Him even while in the middle of big events and as decisions are being made.  

Side note: Jesus also left us an example to pray for blessing and give thanks to God for our food before we eat: feeding the multitudes (Matthew 14:19, 15:36), at His institution of the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26-27), and at the supper in Emmaus after His resurrection (Luke 24:30-31). Consider Romans 14:6.  

    Jesus prayed when life was unusually busy. Jesus often withdrew from the crowds that thronged Him to pray to His Father (Mark 1 :35; 5:15-16, Matthew 14:23). We don't likely have crowds thronging us, but we may have many obligations that pull us in several directions. Women today wear many hats: being all things to their husband and family, some work outside their home or from home, while others volunteer at school/community groups outside the home in their "spare" time. Just as Jesus purposed reprieve from His hectic schedule to commune with His Father, so too should we purpose time to be in solitude with God, so that we can recharge our spiritual batteries (Galatians 6:9-10, Psalm 138:3, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Psalm 18:32) and refresh our focus (Colossians 3:1-2)!

    Jesus prayed without ceasing (2 Thessalonians 5:17) - He never gave up on prayer - and neither should we! Let us add more prayer to our day ! Let's run to God in good times and bad to seek His help and nourish our souls, to praise Him and honour Him at all times for being our loving Father, and for providing us with the perfect example to follow! 

To be more like the Son in 2021 - pray, pray, PRAY!!

You can do it! So can I!!

 

Jesus Had Compassion For People - We Should Too!

"Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:35-38 NKJV)

    There are hundreds of people all around each one of us who need direction in their life, who need to know God and learn of His way, who need the Good Shepherd to lead them in what is good and right. We need to care for these lost and wandering souls enough that we pray for those who are labouring for the Lord in our areas and pray also that God will send more labourers to our area to work!

    We can and should be praying for those who are labouring for the Lord. We can and should be praying for more men to rise up and work for the Lord. We can and should be encouraging young men to work toward being preachers and bible class teachers. 

    How wonderful would it be, especially here in Canada, to have more congregations of God's people! To have faithful men step up and take on the noble task of preaching God's holy Word!! To have more people reached, to have more souls saved, more people living as Christ lived in humble obedience to God, looking around them with compassionate hearts and praying that the Lord of the harvest would send even more labourers into His harvest!!

     Let's follow Jesus' command and example (read John 17:1-26) and pray for men, young and old, to rise up and choose to preach and teach the Good News of Christ!! 

    You can do it! So can I!!

 

Jesus Talked To People About His Father - We Can Too!

     Jesus sat down with people and told them of his Father (consider Matthew 5-7) and we can do the same!

    We can read and study to know God's Word and we can sit down with people (friends, family, neighbours, coworkers) and tell them of our heavenly Father (Ephesians 5:15-17, Mark 5:19, Psalm 66:16)! And don't disregard your own children and/or husband either. Talking regularly to them about God and His Word will not only make you more comfortable with the subject but will be a real boost and encouragement to them as well (Deuteronomy 6:8-9; 11:18-22)!

    Let's try to bring God into the conversation as often as possible this week. Introduce a Bible verse you've read/studied or a sermon you have recently heard. Make mention of a blessing you have received or you see in someone's life (to help them see it). Suggest that God is bigger that any trouble we can face and well able to help if we turn to Him.

"My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness 

and Your salvation all the day, 

for I do not know their limits.

I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;

I will make mention of Your righteousness,

of Yours only." (Psalm 71:15-16 NKJV)

     Let's be more like the Son in 2021 by using the opportunities we are given to simply talk to people about our Father! 

    You can do it! So can I!!

Jesus Didn't Seek Status, He Sought Souls - We Should Too!

    Jesus was often criticized for being "a friend to tax collectors and sinners" (Matthew 11:19) because the world often looks for greatness in status, rank, and popularity, but Jesus did not come to seek prestige - He sought prisoners, He did not seek rank - He sought rejects, He did not seek popularity, He sought plain men and women like you and I.

    Jesus went to the sick, so they could know the Great Physician (Matthew 9:10-12). He spoke to sinners, so they could hear of redemption (Matthew 9:13, Titus 2:14). He taught the lost so they could find the way home (Luke 19:10, Romans 6)!

     To be like Jesus we do not need to have a big house, we do not need to attain high levels of education, we do not need to have high-paying/high-status jobs or mingle with the rich and famous - we can do as He did wherever we are! We can tell our neighbours of God's greatness! We can educate ourselves in God's holy word simply by reading, obeying, and praying for understanding and wisdom! We can share the rich blessings we have received from God when we mingle with our friends, family, and co-workers!

    We need to be careful how much focus and attention we give to earthly pursuits! We need to look around us right now and see the souls that surround us. We can help those around us and those who come into our lives through our every day activities! 

    As a Mom I have a household of souls that I need to be looking to and teaching (and reinforcing my husband's spiritual instruction). My children's friends, their parents, their teachers are all naturally in my realm, as well as near neighbours, my own friends, the grocery cashier, the pharmacy clerk  - all souls in need of a Saviour!     

    Who is in your realm? How can you encourage them today? How can you turn their attention to God and His way? By being more like the Son in 2021!! By simply talking to them, telling them of God's love and care for them!!

You can do it! So can I!!

 

Jesus Knew The Scriptures - And We Should Too (Part 2)

     Jesus used His scripture knowledge to disarm the devil and nullify the temptations set before Him (Matthew 4:1-11). He truly exemplified Romans 12:21 in this encounter! In so doing He also teaches us how we too can avoid temptation: by putting our focus on God and keeping in mind our spiritual growth (Psalm 119:59-60, Colossians 3), by trusting God’s love and patience rather than testing them (Romans 6:14, 2 Peter 3:9), and dedicating ourselves wholly to Him, giving Him due honour and respect through proper worship (John 4:24).

    We need to be prepared to do what Jesus did – use Scriptures to counteract the devil’s lures – but also hear what these Scriptures teach – prioritize God and humbly honour and obey Him - so we are wise to temptations! Consider:

• Man should live by every word that proceeds from God's mouth. Prioritize the spiritual over the physical (Matthew 5:6, John 4:31-34; 51, 57) 
• You should not tempt/test God. Use your time in proving God's wisdom through humble obedience, don't waste your time trying to disprove or question God (His existence, nor His commands) through man-made doubts and theories (Deuteronomy 6:16, Exodus 17:2, 7)
• Worship God and serve only God.  Give your time and devotion to your holy Creator not anything created by men (consider Matthew 6:19-21; 24, 33, 1 Timothy 6:3-10; 17-19)

    Those who work in identifying counterfeit currency do not study every aspect of the counterfeits, they study the authentic! They know the genuine article so well that they can spot deceptions and discrepancies quickly.

    The devil is a master counterfeiter. He tries to pass off his lies as truth so we need to know the genuine article – we need to know the Truth (John 8:31-32), not a man-made version of it (Matthew 15:8-9), not a hearsay version of it (Matthew 7:21-23) – we need to read God’s Word, the Bible (Psalm 119:160, John 17:17); we need to know it so we can understand it, and use the knowledge we have gained from it to be wise to the devil’s lies and resist him (James 4:7, Hebrews 5:14)  

    Jesus knew the authentic – Jesus was the authentic! – but we can be like Him by diligently studying God’s word, to understand Him better, so we can worship and serve Him more accurately and mindfully! So that we can know the Truth and not be lured away by the lie!

    To Be More Like the Son in 2021 let’s do all we can to increase our Bible knowledge!

    From wherever you are right now - BEGIN! 

Helpful Links

Bible Reading Plans:

• Classic Read-through-the-Bible (365 days, find it here)
• Read through the New Testament (90 days, find it here)
• Read Old and New Testament (365 days, find it here)
• Stay on Track Plan (364 day, weekday only, weekends can be used to catch up, find it here)
• The Busy Life – 2 year Read-through-the-Bible Plan (find it here)
  

Note: Six years ago, I followed the classic plan (at top of list), the next year I followed a chronological reading plan (find it here). I felt well-established in my new daily habit by that time so for the past four years I have made up my own daily reading plan  (one chapter from Old Testament and one chapter from New Testament) that allows me to read through sections of the Old Testament and the complete New Testament 3-4 times in a year.

Find one that works for you so you can get into God’s word every day! Do your best to create new reading habits - it is well worth your time and effort!! You can do it! So can I!!

Jesus Knew the Scriptures - We Should Too!

     Yes, Jesus IS the very Word of God, so of course He would know the Scriptures but in wanting to be more like the Son in 2021, we too should know the Scriptures!

      Scriptures are good for us to know - they were written for our learning so we can develop patience, trust, and hope (Romans 15:4) and for our admonition (1 Corinthians 10:11). Note: admonition means 'to put in mind,' it envelops the idea 'to warn' and 'counsel people to choose God.'  

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable 

for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction

in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, 

thoroughly equipped for every good work."

(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)  

 

    In Ephesians 5, we are instructed to walk as children of light, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord (vv8,10) and to be wise, understanding what the will of the Lord is (vv15-17). At the time this epistle was written, the first century Christians in Ephesus (and everywhere else) would have needed to be like the noble Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11); they would have only had access to the Scriptures (what we now call the "Old Testament") and the letters written to their church (or nearby churches), to find out what was acceptable to God and to understand His will, so learning and knowing the Scriptures was vital for understanding and assurance!

 

    Today, I believe it is no different! Although we have the complete message of God in Bible-form, and as followers of Christ we have the New Testament for our guide to live right before God, we do ourselves a disservice if we keep ourselves from reading and learning the Old Testament. 

 

       I'm reading through the Old Testament right now, and yes, Genesis and Exodus are exciting and filled with grand narrative and yes, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy can feel tedious and possibly repetitious, but just when I was "knee-deep" in Leviticus and trying to justify my own desire to skip it (and the next two books that follow), I realized something small but significant from my reading: God required absolute holiness in any person who came near His presence and in any thing presented to Him. God does not change - so His requirements then are His requirements now - when 1 Peter 1:14-16 tells Christians to "be holy in all your conduct" and "be holy, for I am holy," we need to take that seriously, just as the Israelites needed to. If I had not taken the time to read the small, sometimes uninteresting 'in-between' information, I would not have been able to make this needful connection point.

 

    So, don't be content with only the major accounts that most learn as children (Creation, the Flood, Crossing the Red Sea, etc.), read the in-betweens, the leading-up-to's and the afterwards! Learn more about yourself when you see your own choices/attitudes reflected in the choices/attitudes of those ordinary people (just like you!) who fill the pages of the Scriptures! Heed the warning that flashes out from the accounts of disobedience. Come to better understand the prophets and the serious messages they were burdened with and the hope they had that the people would turn from their evil ways back to their loving God! Learn of God and His holiness, His consistency, and His unending love for His children!

 

     Be more like the Son in 2021 by reading. learning, and knowing the Scriptures!

You can do it! So can I!!