Tag Archives: Christian Faith

Pick up Your Cross

Posted on by yolandaberry
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When we reflect upon the Resurrection, we celebrate the triumph of Jesus overcoming the grave and sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. We celebrate His victory and all He has done for our Salvation. He is alive and lives in our hearts and we await for His return. He will reign upon the earth as He did once before.

As followers of Christ, we must remain steadfast knowing that we should walk as Jesus and live as an example.  We should pick up our cross daily and follow Him. Mark 10:21

What exactly does that mean? Jesus requested the apostles to leave all they had to follow Him. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of giving up everything to follow Him. He commanded to give riches and treasures to the poor and to put Him first in every area of our life. In Mark 10:25, Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”

Jesus want to know your heart is pure and that you can be content in all circumstances. Nothing should stand in the way of relationship with Him.  Of course, our Father gives us good pleasures, but He wants us to delight in Him. He wants us to honor and obey Him. He does not want us to be persuaded or enticed by glitz, glamour, fame and fortune.  Neither does He desire the church to become a den of thieves.

Picking up your cross also means to be obedient to what the Lord ask you to do.  When we follow and surrender to Jesus, we desire to please Him. He will also fulfill the desires of our heart. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

Moses answered the call to lead the Israelites through the wilderness to the promise land. Joseph was obedient to endure betrayal and be thrown into a pit, despite the jealousy of his brothers, and still blessed them in spite of their evil ways towards him. Jeremiah was obedient to prophesy over disobedience in the land.

It is not always easy to be obedient to the Lord. In many cases, it can be tough. However, the Lord supplies everything you need to overcome the challenges, obstacles and surprises life brings. God is not looking for perfect people. He calls the misfits, the outsiders, the prideful, the unqualified, and the sinful.  Mark 2:13-17

When we pick up our cross, we are not carrying the burdens of life on our shoulders. This may be a misinterpretation of what the verse means and easily misunderstood. Jesus already paid the price for the penalty of sin for all of us. He carries our burdens. The greatest love of all flows from the heart of Jesus. By no means, we are to believe that we are to carry the cross like Christ did. Our works or deeds on earth does not open the doors to heaven. Salvation does. That is the whole reason Christ died for us. Without the crucifixion of Christ, there would be no sacrifice. Nevertheless, our works will be rewarded once we enter into the Kingdom. “Through faith and patience we will inherit the promises.” Heb 6:12

All that you search for in this world is null and void and does not satisfy. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life: He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

Pick up your cross and follow Him daily. Be a disciple of Christ.  Share the Gospel. Uplift and encourage others. Ask for wisdom, discernment and understanding and walk as examples of Christ.

Just a few things to think about…

What can you do to welcome others who have a different lifestyle than you or do not have the same faith or values that you have? How do you react or respond to stress, worry, doubt or fear? How do you act when you’re angry, tired or frustrated? What can you do differently when emotions take over? How do you lead by example in the workplace? How do you share your testimony with others when they don’t know Christ?

You’re welcome to leave your comments. Thanks for your support.

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Additional Scripture References:

Matt 7:9-11

Phil 4:19

Heb 6:10

 John 18  and  John 19

 I Peter 1:3-9

 Romans 3:23-25

 I Corth 15:13-28

O Holy Night

Posted on by yolandaberry
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From our house to yours, May you have a Merry Christmas! May it be filled with peace, love and laughter!

Take time to reflect on Jesus who gave the greatest gift of Salvation to the World.

Lost and Found

Posted on by yolandaberry
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 Many years ago, I went shopping with a close friend with her two-year old child. As we      casually picked out outfits, we watched her daughter dash between the racks of clothing  playing peep- a- boo. When we decided what to purchase, we got in line.

However, we could  not locate her daughter. She was suddenly missing when we called her name. We frantically  rushed through the store asking people if they had seen a small child describing her in  extreme detail. With alarm, no one had seen her. They sent out an announcement over the  intercom as we raced through the aisles searching for the child.

In a panic, my friend headed towards the courtyard inside the mall where she passed the security desk where she found her child sitting on top of the desk with a security officer gently holding her. It was the most rewarding and gratifying moment ending in a sigh of relief.

It definitely does not feel good to get lost. I can remember several times being lost when I was driving to a new location. As I desperately searched to find the right direction, I usually became extremely panicked to make it to my destination. Then, finally I would find my way which provided me with comfort. Of course, this experience was long before cell phones and GPS systems!

When you’re lost spiritually, you may not even be aware. There is no warning or immediate danger involved. You may travel through life freely taking no precautions or direction in life.

You don’t have any fear about salvation or eternal life. Possibly, you may simply be at a crossroad in the midst of confusion about what you believe. No matter what road you travel, the Lord’s grace and mercy will find exactly where you are if your heart is open to receive His love. God’s love is profound.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus) that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-1

This is the foundation and the basic substance of truth found in the Word of God. Once you start to follow your spiritual GPS (God’s Power Saves) which is directed by the Holy Spirit, you will find comfort and security.

You will find out the empty, lonely place where you are constantly searching to fill a void in your life does not sustain peace or satisfaction.

When you begin to fill the space with such things as alcohol, drugs, sex, money, power, material things and other feel-good possessions and remedies, you begin to realize that it only last for a moment before you begin to search and search and search for something else that satisfies and fills the void. Eventually, you find out that you spent a lifetime seeking something that does not exist or that you cannot find.

When you put your faith in Jesus, you begin to receive a wholeness that does not compare to worldly expectations. Seeking a relationship with Jesus consists of daily prayer (simply communicating or having a conversation with Him), worship and praise, reading the Gospel and surrounding yourself with other believers and finding a Bible-based church. You will begin to transform yourself and your life. However, it’s a gradual process and it’s not done in your own power. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” Zech 4:6

The growth process is never-ending with no destination in sight. It is an exciting journey with lots of surprises along the way. Living a Christian life, is by no means easy. You will still face obstacles, challenges and problems, but you will not have to carry the burdens and pressures of life on your shoulders.

When you walk by faith, you are “Trusting the evidence of things hoped for but the evidence of things unseen.” Heb 11:1 and Romans 8:24

This is the same faith you will use when you acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and Savior who has died and resurrected for your sins. You must come to Him by faith.

What makes the relationship so special? Each person will never have the same exact experience. You are a designed original and the Lord desires to have an intimate relationship with you because He created you for His pleasure. It’s just like the lost child who wandered through the mall.

Our Father welcomes you into His loving arms when He finds one of His lost children and desires to build a relationship that will be everlasting. How can you miss out on that opportunity?

Reference:

“And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another comforter: that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but ye know Him: for He dwells with you, and shall be with you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:16-18

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:4

“But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” 2 Corth 4:3