Day Forty-Four

Scripture Text: Luke 9:23-27

Peter and I seem to have some things in common. Sometimes the Lord has to tell me two or three times until I finally get it. Beth reminds us that Peter was invited to follow Christ “three times before Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father.” The scripture verses in today devotion clearly expressed how to follow Him.

Taking up a cross daily does not necessarily have to be bad. I heard it said once that “if you pick a calf up everyday until its grown, you can pick him up when he’s a grown cow.” (I guess you build some muscles. Ha!Ha!) What about this in a spiritual sense? If we take up our cross daily- – if we don’t just get lazy (ouch) and pick it up only when we need Him. If someone gave you a brand new car and you didn’t maintain it, keep it clean and running good, it would eventually stop running. Jesus paid the price for an eternal gift to us, but we do have to maintain our walk with Him once we accept His precious gift.

What does it mean to take up a cross? I believe it is different for everyone. Maybe your cross is your wayward child, maybe your cross is a dependent family member, maybe your cross is your lost spouse, maybe your cross is a stressful job, maybe your cross is the bad habit in your life that you set healthy boundaries so you won’t go back to it, or maybe your cross is simply loving someone that does not care about you or has hurt you. Whatever your cross is, go ahead and pick it up and march on. He will “make your burdens light.” We must keep following Him! He is leading us to “the Promised Land.” I am longing to go there more than ever, but I must do more for Him, that’s why I am still here.

I like what Beth said , “the key to true ‘follow-ship’ with Christ is the recommitment to take up the cross daily.” She also stated, “live life one surrendered day at a time.” – one step at a time. Salvation is not a one-time commitment, it’s a daily walk. Crosses are supposed to be comfortable, but “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13. I like this one, too: “Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” Colossians 1:11. Have a great day friends. Keep carrying your cross and one day you’ll “Trade the Old Cross for a Crown.“
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Keeping the Faith,

Aimee