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About-Him.Com Devotional 05-08-2004
The old hymn asks the question:
Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free?
No, there's a cross for everyone, and there's a cross for me
Sadly, we don't hear a lot of emphasise on true discipleship as we should. People's ears are tickled to hear how God will make them rich and give them every happiness of life. Sorry, I don't like to suffer anymore than the next person, but Jesus clearly taught that we were not immune from suffering. There is a price that we must be willing to pay to promote the kingdom. We must lose our very life in Him so that we may live in Him. Nothing else matters, my friend. It's all going to burn anyhow. Only what we do to promote His kingdom will stand the test of eternity. All else will disappear like chaff in the wind.
I long to hear Him say, "Well Done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into my rest."
Another old song said:
It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus
It will be worth it all when we see Him
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase
keep running in the race, till we see Him
The Life of Christ From His Baptism to His Ascension:
135a Admonition to share in His Cross Mt. 16:21-28; Mk. 8:34-38,9:1; Lu. 9:23-27
The Harmony that we are following in the Thompson Chain Bible does not cover this topic, which I feel is very important as it sets the stage for our Lord’s transfiguration which was to occur shortly.
Luke 9:21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;
22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
After Peter confessed his belief that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus told them to keep it quiet. He first would have to suffer and be put to death. However, He promised to rise again the third day.
So it’s decision time for the immediate circle. They must also be willing to die with Jesus. If they hold on to this present life, with all of it’s comforts, they will lose out on life eternal. What is the profit if they gain the whole world, but lose their eternal inheritance. If they are ashamed of Him here in His humiliation, He will be ashamed of them when He comes in the glory of His Father. Every man will be rewarded according to his works.
Some who were standing there would not see death until they saw the kingdom of God come with great power. Peter, James and John were soon to see the transfiguration, but all of the twelve except Judas were present on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost descended with enabling power (Acts 1:8, 2:4), in the upper room.
There were troublesome times ahead, but after Pentecost, those who were filled, never looked back (Luke 22:32). They took the gospel to the ends of the known world, many giving their lives in the process.
These sobering words of our Lord should speak volumes to any who feel that God is obligated to give the believer a life of ease and prosperity. There was a cross in the future of these believers and there is a cross for all of us to share, if we expect to reign with our Lord in His glory.
Prayer Request
A young man here in Las Vegas, who was considered to be in remission for leukemia, only to find that the treatment he had taken had destroyed his pancreas, thus releasing toxins into his system.
Somebody Has Said
The graveyards are full of indispensable men.
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Humor
"Sorry, we don't have potted geraniums," the clerk said, and then added helpfully, "Could you use African violets?"
"No," replied Ed sadly, "It was geraniums my wife told me to water while she was gone."
Keep Looking Up!
Don & Marie Spooner
About Him! Ministries
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