May 23
come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
LUKE 14:27
Embracing the Cross is not a once-and-for-all act, but a daily attitude of knowing our insufficiency in order to know the sufficiency of Christ. Jesus asks us to take up the Cross “daily” (Luke 9:23) and Paul said “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Since we daily meet with temptations, tests and trials, so we must daily affirm and reaffirm who we are in Christ: the crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, ascended and seated Branches of the crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, ascended, and seated Vine.
As disciples we take up the Cross daily, which means we are always in a state of surrender and submission to the Lord Jesus, constantly forsaking our own way for His Way. This moment-by-moment yielding to Him is summed up in this saying: “Not I, but Christ” (Galatians 2:20).
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……If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members… (Col. 3:1-5) If we keep our eyes on Him Who is seated in glory at the right hand of God, and KNOW that He is the very purpose for our lives, we will set our minds on things above which are eternal, not on the things of this world that perish. Dying daily to self that the life of Christ may fill us and overtake us, that we are ALSO seated WITH HIM at the Father’s right hand…..oh, GLORY!
Dear Chip, you and your family are in our prayers. I have posted your request on our Facebook page, “Ongoing Prayer Requests” which now has a membership of around 1500……there are MANY who are praying for you at this time. You are in our hearts…..we love you.
Thank you Clare for your understanding which lines up with the same Truth as Chip has mentioned. We must always be ready in season and out of seasons because this life on earth as we know it will throw many curve balls and the will be many arrows we have to dodge. Yes we may be bloody spiritually and think we are not going to make it, but in reality what does not cause us to give up and quit our narrow path of suffering will only make us more like Christ. Jesus ask His Father if the cup of suffering and death could pass by, but then He also said not My will but Your will be done.
Chip,
The Lord has given you His heart and that heart is brave and courageous. But most of all your new heart is a heart of Love for Christ and His people. You have many prayer warrior’s interceding for you at this time and always. You are a strong faithful man of God and you and your family will pass this season of suffering. What we think may be critical right now may just be the pathway for new beginnings, no matter how bad the suffering gets, it will never overtake you as long as you stay focused on the Light, as you keep your Oil to the brim that causes the Light to shine so bright. God tells us that the Light in us will out shine the darkness around us and eventually that darkness has to flee. I continue to pray for wisdom and strength and for God to give your family a measure of extra grace to endure.
Amen, so very true, loved it, agree 100%
Dear brother Chip,
you truly are a man of God! We are blessed because He has blessed you with a true understanding, ALWAYS pointing us to the only Way, Truth, and Life–Christ Himself. He has sent you at this time in history to, in such an uncompromising and clear way, communicate the very essence of the Christian life. May you be blessed with His most tangible presence in your house, for wherever He lives there is the fullness of everything we could ever need or want.
Blessings,
Mario
Amen Amen Hallelujah!