Jesus said, “Carry your cross and follow me.” Luke 9:23
I said, “Cross? I don’t want a cross. I’m afraid.”
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25
I said, “I believe . . . I want the life You give.”
And Jesus said, “Carry your cross, follow me, and live.
Just trust me. Obey the Father’s will. Love and Live”
I said, “Just trust and obey.”
He said, “Yes.”
I said, “Just live with love.
Live out loud with love for You and others.”
He said, “Exactly.”
I used to believe the obey part. The trust part was harder.
I wanted to hold back. I wanted to know where trust would lead.
I wanted to avoid vulnerability.
But truthfully I hear familiar words, “How’s that workin’ for you?”
Cross-carrying is part of life.
I can try to control and avoid, but crosses happen.
Fear and worry can’t prevent them.
Hard words are the beginning of cross-carrying.
I want life.
I will trust and obey.
I will confess and repent my failures.
I will lay my fear at the cross.
I will love You and others.
I will live.
Not my will but Yours…
Cross-carrying is the beginning of life.
Jesus came to give us eternal life.
He also came to give us abundant life. Right here. Right now.
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
If like me, you’ve ever struggled with the thought of carrying your cross
I’m here to encourage you.
Just live.
Follow.
Jesus will lead you.
And give you all you need to trust and obey.
All you need to carry your cross.
“And so I tell you, keep on asking,
and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking, and you will find.
Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Luke 11:9
Lord give me all I need to carry my cross to the foot of Yours.
Take me to the cross – where my burdens fall.
Take me to the cross – where repentance cries.
Take me to the cross – where love pours out.
Take me to the cross – where hope is found.
Cross-Carrying Around the Blogosphere
I’ve gotten to know Andrea Portilla through 5 Minutes for Faith.
Her writing home is Beautiful Craziness, where she says the following:
“I write about my callings, passions and Jesus needing life and
my hope is that you will be encouraged and equipped
to walk faithfully in your own beautiful crazy life!”
Andrea’s post – Flying, the Whole World and Faith will
encourage you to look to the One who holds and watches.
Jennifer Dukes Lee describes herself as a Storyteller and Grace Dweller –
She writes “I believe in you, because I believe in Jesus.
You matter to Him, and you matter to me.”
Her post – Who Are We, If Not People of the Cross is
powerful and filled with truth. It will bless you.
Deborah Perkins writes about faith at His Inscriptions – a ministry
devoted to Knowing God’s Word and Hearing His Voice.
“A severe hearing loss from childhood caused Deborah Perkins
to develop what she now calls her secret weapon:
tuning in to God’s voice.”
Take a few minutes to read her post –
The Big Lie Christians Still Believe
It’s guaranteed to make you stop and think…
Here’s a smile for those of you who are ready for
winter to lose it’s punch.
Loved this photo at Happy Place.
[Tweet “It’s Party Time at Counting My Blessings – You’re Invited! “]
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Thank you for being such a gracious host, Deb. Thank you for investing in others and for sharing that blessing of encouragement. I love that you do this here.. you call out those who have blessed you and heaped grace upon grace over them.
Praying He fills you with peace and grace as you continue to carry that cross with Him. 🙂
Blessings,
Dawn
Thank you for this post, Deb. It’s hard not to fear cross-carrying, in our humanity. I had never thought of it like this though – that “Cross-carrying is the beginning of life.” So, so true. I’ve been thinking so much lately about the call to be a Christian and what that really means. The 21 who were killed for their faith, as well as the many other martyrs over time, show us indeed the cost of following Christ. I pray we would be as faithful, as resolute, as God-honoring in the carrying of that type of cross. Encouraged by your words here – thank you, Deb! God bless you.
Anne
I look forward to your inspiration every day, Deb. Thank you for reminding us here that an abundant life can only be had by taking up our cross and following Jesus in trust and obedience.
Blessings!
Great thoughts, Deb. Thank you. Our cross only makes sense in light of His.
I’m thankful for Gods grace on a DAILY Basis. No clue where I’d be without it. probably jobless, homeless and without a family.
thanks for your ministry!
@spreadingJOY
Marie
What a fine conversation. Truth flows out and upward all through, Deb.
Glad I came by.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Amen; love this Deb! God is calling us to pick up our cross, step out in faith and trust Him; He is asking us to believe that His power will equip us for what He is asking us to do. All we need to do is…Trust and Obey!
Blessings dear friend~have a wonderful weekend!
Denise
Thank you for hosting. I always enjoy the new blogs I find through your link up.
Hi Deb, thank you for your encouragement from Luke 11:9 and for providing a community for us writers to get to know each other! Hope you have a great weekend, Kim
Great thoughts on the fear of cross-bearing, but how much greater His grace when we truly HIS cross! Wonderful post, thanks for sharing it by linking up with Grace & Truth!