Are U Up for the Challenge?

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭21‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.12.25.NIV

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.31-32.KJV

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.37-39.KJV

“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