July 9 A Cross and a Crown And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34 Every Christian must bear his own cross. Every believer must bear his own burden. What God has chosen for you to do is not necessarily what He has spoken to someone else. We must all, as individuals, follow Jesus down the path He has chosen for us. This road is often rocky, full of challenges and trials, but the purposes of God are far greater than our present difficulties. His eyes are focused on the destination. Pastor Theodore L. Cuyler, having passed through many personal trials, wants to lift our eyes off the present circumstances and lift them up to see God’s purpose. The trial that purifies our character must be something more than a pin scratch. It must try us; it must cut keenly, or it does not deserve the name “trial.” For example, it is hard to be poor while some others are pocketing a large income. It is hard to lie on a sick bed and suffer while godless mirth goes laughing past our door. It is hard to lose our one tiny baby while our neighbor’s table is surrounded by a group of rosy-cheeked children. It is hard to drink the very cup that we prayed might pass from us. Yes it is hard, but necessary. It is of vital importance for us to remember that God has a goal. His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. God is so much greater. So trust Him today. Endure the trial. Rejoice in the Lord. I believe without a doubt, the heavier the cross down here, the more glorious the crown up there! Joshua 11; Psalms 144 Jeremiah 5; Matthew 19
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:57:27 +0000
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