Matthew 16:19 – “I will give you the keys of the #kingdom of heaven…” Christ speaks of keys in a means of abilities to open and explain the Gospel truths, and a mission and commission from Him to make use of them.
How are you making use of them? Have you strived to take this mission and love out the Gospel in a way that brings glory and light to it?
The cross is not pretty. It’s not necessarily even a symbol of hope, like we enjoy portraying it as. It truly, in context, is a symbol of humiliation, suffering, and death. So why does Jesus call us to DAILY take up the cross and follow Him? Well, just like everything else in life, it wasn’t promised to be easy. It’s gonna be uncomfortable and you’re gonna have to sacrifice. It is simply a part of following HIM. following Jesus doesn’t not always mean sunshine and daises. It will cost you something. Jesus calls us to take up the cross and follow Him as an example to die to ourselves. DAILY. Daily we must surrender ourselves, pick up the cross, and follow. Life begins outside your comfort zone, and there’s no better place to start than here… with Jesus. Follow his example. Give up yourself. Follow Him. & you truly will have life and experience all that God created it to be; suffering and all.
The cross is not pretty. It’s not necessarily even a symbol of hope, like we enjoy portraying it as. It truly, in context, is a symbol of humiliation, suffering, and death. So why does Jesus call us to DAILY take up the cross and follow Him? Well, just like everything else in life, it wasn’t promised to be easy. It’s gonna be uncomfortable and you’re gonna have to sacrifice. It is simply a part of following HIM. following Jesus doesn’t not always mean sunshine and daises. It will cost you something. Jesus calls us to take up the cross and follow Him as an example to die to ourselves. DAILY. Daily we must surrender ourselves, pick up the cross, and follow. Life begins outside your comfort zone, and there’s no better place to start than here… with Jesus. Follow his example. Give up yourself. Follow Him. & you truly will have life and experience all that God created it to be; suffering and all.
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble, and gentle; be patient, bearing wit one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bend of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
- Ephesians 4:1-6
Desire each day to live in this way.
No matter what is happening on the outside,
certainly you can stand firm and faithful.
live worthily in line with God’s Word
and His will, internally.
Outward circumstances shouldn’t dampen our inward spiritual condition.
We are one.
As one in the bond of Christ’s love, we need to realize that
we truly have a high calling, as Christians.
Our mission is monumental, with eternal results.
We’re never alone!
We’re one in Him.
We’re one with one another.
We’re the body of Christ.
He is in charge.
That higher calling.
–just as you were called to one hope when you were called.
Be in that calling.
Be in that hope.
There was a plan laid our for you.
Although, at times, it may be unclear, stay faithful.
As we continue to walk through life,
we begin to see bits and pieces of these plans thrown in our path.
Be open to where you may have to walk in order to see these hints.
Whether you must move to another country,
give up all your possessions,
leave behind your comfort,
or even simply walk the other way.
MOVE.
Remember to be humble.
Most importantly, within in all of these plans, stay in love.
Bearing with other Christians, remain in unity.
In effort be in unity.
Be together, in all.
For you are not alone,
nor are you expected to walk alone.
Your have been called individually,
but are not called to go at it alone.
So no matter what may be happening in our own lives, today, God is greater. Are you imprisoned? Are you held back by a handicap? Do you feel captured by daily responsibilities that seem to prevent you from doing other things that you’d like to be doing?
Faith :
the ability to tackle life with confidence.
Come what may, knowing that the
trustworthy promises of God are precisely
as real as the transient circumstances around us.
Faith :
the believing that God
will do exactly as He has said.
