trial

Take Up Your Cross

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'” (Luke 9:23-24)

What a perfect verse to meditate and pray over this morning as millions and millions of Christians gather virtually together in their homes (and possibly in places of worship) to worship together on Sunday. While the coronavirus may be putting a hamper on normal day-to-day activities, it should never put a hamper on our worship!

So what does it mean to take up your cross daily and follow Jesus? It may not mean what you think.

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Messy Trials < God's Peace (2 Peter 1:2)

Today when I walked into the kitchen, our dog (Mochi!) gave me a nice surprise. She had peed in a completely random spot on the floor next to the pantry, about 3 feet away from her pee pad. She had also poo’d on the opposite side of the kitchen, also 3 feet away from her pee pad. We have older tile with grout in the kitchen, so the pee was carried into our pantry, spreading across the floor like water bursting through a series of channels, wetting everything we had stored on the pantry ground. (more…)

Stepping Stones (Joshua 8:6-7)

“They will pursue us until we have lured them away from the city, for they will say, ‘They are running away from us as they did before.’ So when we flee from them, you are to rise up from ambush and take the city. The Lord your God will give it into your hand.” (Joshua 8:6-7)

My wife’s battle against cancer has been a wonderful confirmation that God truly works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). It is but a step towards what He has already given into her hand. (more…)

Pray… And Then Pray More! (Jonah 2)

“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said, ‘In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.'” (Jonah 2:1-2)

Even as a prophet of God, Jonah was as human as you and I, making many mistakes during his time of ministry. He ran away from God to the point where he was cast overboard from a boat, and the Lord sent a great fish to swallow him whole, where Jonah stayed three days and three nights. (more…)