Follow The Leader (Part 3)

"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. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." ~ Matthew 16:24-25

Following God's direction has a prerequisite, and it's located in Matthew 16:24. 

Very simply, if we are to follow God, we are to take up our cross.

What does "take up your cross" mean?

Simply it means that we must die to our flesh, i.e. to our carnal nature, our foolish thinking, and our selfish desires. It means that life is no longer about you, but instead about Him.

Following the Leader is NOT easy. It's hard, because it requires certain things to die within us.

But the good news is that God promises that if we are willing to die in certain areas, He will give us life in other areas.

Will you take up your cross and follow Him today?

God bless,
J.W.

#PassionWeek - #Saturday - #YOLO is a Myth

While it's unclear what happened between Jesus' death and resurrection, we know His life didn't end on Friday.

Some theologians argue that Jesus descended into Hades on Saturday to proclaim the good news to those imprisoned there (1 Peter 3:18-20). Others argue that He descended into Hades to take back the keys to death (Revelation 1:18). We know He rose on the third day and was seen by over 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Why is this important?

Because it serves as an example for us. Contrary to what Drake would have you believe, you don't only live once. #YOLO is a myth. The Bible is very clear that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment (Hebrews 9:27-28).

The question is, what will happen to you after the judgment?

The reason Jesus DIED was so that you could LIVE with Him in eternity. Don't let His death be in vain.

God bless,
J.W.

#PassionWeek #Saturday #EasterIsComing

To Live Is To Suffer

How ironic is it that in order to live in Christ, we must die to self?

How more ironic is it that by Christ dying for us, we must now live for Him?

Most ironic, however, is that by Christ dying for us, we must now die and suffer for Him.

It’s not a message that is very popular in today’s society (in fact, most preachers won’t even preach on the subject), but it’s true nonetheless.

To follow Christ is to suffer with Him, to bear the cross, to walk the narrow path.

It requires sacrifice, obedience, and doing things you may not want to do sometimes.

But the thing about it is that the rewards you receive for your obedience makes it worth every minute of your suffering.

God bless,
J.W.

“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. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” ~ Matthew 16:24-25


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J0Pcy2GLMg