TAKING UP OUR CROSS!

 

Saturday, April 11, 2026

 

TAKING UP OUR CROSS!

 

Matt 16:24-26

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

          All three of the synoptic gospels records Jesus saying: “If any man will come after (or follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross.” Luke adds the word “daily.” Following Jesus is not for wimps but risk takers.

 

1.      The Cross is PERSONAL!

 

It is YOUR cross. The cross of discipleship and service is not some naturally occurring inconvenience. It is more than a rainy day that spoils a picnic. My cross is so personal that nobody else can carry it.

 

2.      The Cross is REDEMPTIVE!

 

I believe that ministry does not happen unless the minister suffers some kind of loss so that the recipient can enjoy some kind of gain. Jesus’ cross redeemed the sinner, but Jesus was without sin. The one hanging on the cross suffered loss so that we might gain.

 

2 Cor 8:9

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 

3.      The Cross is an INVESTMENT!

 

Mark 8:35-36

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

 

Those who are overly protective of this earthly life will ultimately lose it anyway. Those who recklessly invest their earthly life to do ministry will not lack life. Those who hoard earthly stuff will ultimately lose it but those who lay up treasure in heaven will never lose their investment.

 

Matt 6:19-21

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

Dear Lord, I don’t have much but it all belongs to you. Use both me and my stuff to make gains for your kingdom. AMEN

 

TOXIC PEOPLE!

 

Friday, April 10, 2026

 

TOXIC PEOPLE!

 

Luke 15:14-16

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

 

          There are prodigals all around us. You know the kind. Everything they think is wrong and everything they do tends to trouble; either for themselves or those around them. They are toxic, poison! How did they get this way?

 

          The above scripture, of course, is a snapshot of the man we call “the prodigal son.” He had a loving father and a nurturing environment on the family farm. He was due to inherit a portion of it – but not quite half because his older brother would inherit more. Perhaps this was his aggravation! At any rate, he decided to cash in his portion and set off on his own.

 

          Toxic people are often selfish people. There is a swirling vortex of resources that ends with them. They are a black hole of consumption. They suck up riches and spit out poverty. They are takers and not givers. They are spenders and save not. They expect everything and contribute little.

 

          Toxic people are often foolish people. Ruin and debris are scattered all around them from the catastrophic results of foolish decisions. They are almost comic in their foolishness. Those who befriend them are wounded. Those who are kind to them suffer pain.

 

          Toxic people are needy people. They are transient because they ruin every home they find.  Life deteriorates around them while they blame others for their plight. They are void of accountability and shun responsibility. They cause others pain while they seek pleasure.

 

          Toxic people may still be rescued. They may “come to themselves.” Some Sunday school songs may yet ring in their ears. Some poem or casual remark may trigger a remembrance of a life lived long ago. Even the “John 3:16” sign held aloft behind the goal posts during an extra point attempt goads them to change. In the end the misery far outweighs any pleasure they sought, and the memory of golden days haunts them. They decide! They rise! They devise a speech of confession: “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” (Luke 15:21)

 

          Toxic people, who repent and return, may yet find a welcome. The father watches for them – seeing them afar off. The father runs to him and meets him. The shoes, the robe, and the ring were not rewards for wickedness. They were symbols of restoration. God, the Father, is ready to welcome you too.

 

          Are the circumstances of your life bitter to you and those around you? Have you acted selfishly? Have you chosen foolishly? Won’t you “come to yourself” and come home to your Father? He’s waiting for you.

 

Dear Lord, I know the pain of my own foolishness and the pleasure of being welcomed home again. Thank you for your patience. Speak loudly and clearly to the prodigals today. AMEN

 

SO EASY!

 

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

 

SO EASY!

 

Heb 12:1-2

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

           Some of us carry a little bit of extra weight! The Greek word for “weight” used in verse one is ogkos and literally means “a mass or a bulging.” Yes, I can see it in the mirror! It is hard to shed and makes it difficult to climb stairs much less running a foot race! Of course, some weights are used for strength training. These weights are cast aside when the real competition starts so that the runner feels lighter and stronger. Either way, extra weight hinders our progress.

 

           We all have that one personal and pesky sin that seems to have no trouble defeating us. The word “easily” has the idea of “always standing around.” This one, frustrating sin has been forgiven and forgotten more times than we can remember but it always returns. It just stands around waiting for an opportunity to trip us up again.

 

           Interestingly, the Greek word for “witnesses” is martus which is the foundation of our word martyr. The idea is that our Christian walk is being witnessed by those who have given their lives while serving Christ. It is an invisible but formidable audience. Moreover, we are being watched by others who would copy our deeds and habits.

 

           The transition from Romans chapter 7 to chapter 8 is an amazing turn around. In chapter 7 Paul describes himself as personally out of control. He could not keep from doing wrong and he found it hard to do right. Chapter 8 has a completely different focus. The reason is the verses below.

 

Rom 7:24-8:1

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

Dear Lord, help me to lay aside every weight and THE sin which seems always to be standing around. AMEN