None of us is perfect. We give in to pride; we hold on to resentment and sometimes we just screw up. But as believers of the Word we must learn to overcome them; to die to ourselves and move forward to what is ahead. Shawn Laser defined martyrdom in this, “Martyrdom is like Faith, everyone has it but only few have the gift. Every day we are to be picking up our Cross and dying to self.” We need to fix our eyes on He who is Jesus Christ. Because only He brings HOPE to the HOPELESS, only He brings life to those who are in darkness, and only He brings death to life and that’s why we are alive. That’s why we need to die to self-every day, because the more we do –the more we recognize that Christ is working through us and in us and nothing we do is done through our own strength. We are so imperfect in a world that is trying to become perfect. Everything the world strives for is perfection, plastic surgery, Victoria Secret models, the next iPhone, the perfect beach ready body, best cloth, cars, house, mansions, and more… but we are called to change the world not become like it. Paul said in Romans 12:2 that we must not conform but transformed.
"Jesus is calling us to move, ...to live a life after His heart."
Stephen in the book of Acts died for the sake of the Gospel, Paul made a total 180 turn to gain his life in Christ Jesus, even Moses who had a short fuse lead the people of Israel to the promise land and Jesus Christ died so we can be set free and have eternal life to those who accept and believe in Him as the son of God who died for the sins of men. What are you willing to give up for the sake of Christ? What part of your Cross is Christ calling you to pick up? Maybe God is calling you to get involved at your local church; maybe He is knocking on your heart to sacrifice your time to serve in ministry. Maybe it’s a financial thing and He wants you to trust Him with your first fruits; maybe God is just saying I want you to give me your time, because He desires to have that personal relationship with you. Jesus is calling us to move, to live a life after His heart.
The scariest verse in the bible for me is located in Matthew 7:12-13 when Jesus states, “Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who practice evil!'" the part about this verse that’s eyes awakening is that Jesus desires to KNOW YOU. He does not care about all the hours you volunteer at church, He does not care about how much money you gave, He does not even care about how many people you brought to Him, He cares about KNOWING YOU. So pick up your Cross of “time,” died to self and bring it before the feet of He who is Jesus Christ.
The reward of Christ also involves a greater security than this world can ever provide. After Jesus talked about the sparrows in Matthew 10, he reminded his disciples of his love for them. In his words, “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” This proves that Jesus knows every detail of our lives, and that he cares for us deeply. This is the reason why He wants us to seek Him so we may know Him and He know us. He already carried the Cross for our shame, He stood for our failures, He literally carried our sins on His shoulders, so what can we say> what can we do? …we must offer our souls as a living sacrifice, our hearts completely to Him. My prayer for you today is that you offer you heart to God, to the one who gave it all, everything that You are should become His. Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”
“A simple guy living a BOLD life for Christ” –Francisco Nelson
The scariest verse in the bible for me is located in Matthew 7:12-13 when Jesus states, “Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who practice evil!'" the part about this verse that’s eyes awakening is that Jesus desires to KNOW YOU. He does not care about all the hours you volunteer at church, He does not care about how much money you gave, He does not even care about how many people you brought to Him, He cares about KNOWING YOU. So pick up your Cross of “time,” died to self and bring it before the feet of He who is Jesus Christ.
The reward of Christ also involves a greater security than this world can ever provide. After Jesus talked about the sparrows in Matthew 10, he reminded his disciples of his love for them. In his words, “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” This proves that Jesus knows every detail of our lives, and that he cares for us deeply. This is the reason why He wants us to seek Him so we may know Him and He know us. He already carried the Cross for our shame, He stood for our failures, He literally carried our sins on His shoulders, so what can we say> what can we do? …we must offer our souls as a living sacrifice, our hearts completely to Him. My prayer for you today is that you offer you heart to God, to the one who gave it all, everything that You are should become His. Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”
“A simple guy living a BOLD life for Christ” –Francisco Nelson
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