Are U Up for the Challenge?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.9.23-24.KJV

The way of life Jesus modeled was to suffer on the cross. When we deny ourselves, we choose to humbly follow Jesus. And as we become more like Jesus, we will also need to take up our cross. We will also suffer for doing good, and for denying things that seem enticing in the moment, but ultimately keep us from God. But when we bear our suffering, we represent Christ to those around us.

Take some time today to consider how you’re living a life of discipleship. Take inventory on the ways you are denying yourself and living for Christ, or living selfishly for your own pleasure and gain. Commit to following Jesus no matter how hard the path gets. And pray for strength and endurance as you follow Him.

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When the Apostle Paul was locked in a Roman prison for telling people about Jesus, he sent a letter of hope to his friends back in Philippi. A portion of it said:

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Philippians 1:6 NLT

Though Paul was writing to specific people in the first-century Church, his words are just as true for the global Church today.

Think about it: Who started this thing we call life? Who made this world and everything in it? Who fine-tuned the universe to actually make sense? Who put you here—at this specific time in history? Who handcrafted your body, your mind, your strengths, and your unique-to-you personality? Who began this good work?

Before you were ever born, God already had you in mind. Before you could even walk or talk or have dreams for yourself, God already had a plan. Before you knew to look to Him or to follow Him or to worship Him, God was already at work—in you, around you, and through you.

Sometimes it feels like we’re just wasting time and taking up space, without real purpose. But—it turns out—God is intentional and He makes no mistakes. To top it off…

God always finishes what He starts.

The story isn’t over. When Christ returns once and for all, the work of God through His people will finally be complete.

Until then, let’s commit to God’s good work inside of us.

Let’s magnify Him in everything we do.

Let’s believe that He’ll finish what He has begun.

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“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/col.2.6-7.NKJV

When we are rooted and grounded in Christ, we actively choose to draw nearer to Him. We discover God’s love, by spending time in His word and communing with Him in prayer. We are reminded that the source of our salvation flows from God’s love. We are able to connect to him, one another, and the matters of the day in a transformed way.

Being rooted in Christ means that we cannot do anything apart from him. Jesus is the true vine and to be deeply rooted in Christ, we must admit that we depend on God for everything in our life. Even when times are good, we cannot try and attach our roots or lay our foundation on something other than Jesus Christ.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.4.7-10.NKJV

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.12.1-2.NKJV

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/php.4.6-7.NKJV

Isa.41:10,13; Psalm 16:11
“God’s mercy and love for the fallen race have not ceased to accumulate, nor lost their earthward direction.
It is true that disappointment will come; tribulation we must expect; but we are to commit everything, great and small, to God. He does not become perplexed by the multiplicity of our grievances, nor overpowered by the weight of our burdens. His watchcare extends to every household, and encircles every individual; He is concerned in all our business and our sorrows. He marks ever tear; He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. All the afflictions and trials that befall us here are permitted, to work out His purposes of love toward us -“that we might be partakers of His holiness”, and thus become participants in that fullness of joy which is found in His presence.” (Our Father Cares 64.4,5)

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.8.31-36.NKJV

bible.com/bible/114/jol.2.12-13.NKJV

King David committed adultery with a married woman, Bathsheba. She became pregnant, and when David discovered this, he called for her husband Uriah, who was serving as a soldier in the king’s army. King David tried to cover up his sin by sending Uriah to the front line, where he was killed. King David was overwhelmed with the thought that he had sinned against God. He prayed, feeling sorrow and remorse for what he had done.

I’m sharing this story with you today to let you know no matter what your sin is; God loves you. God desires that you come to him with a repented, broken and contrite heart. He is loving, forgiving, and full of mercy.

King Davids’s prayer:

“Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭1‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.51.13-17.NKJV

“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/php.4.13.AMP