Daily Bible Study

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Day 35 Luke 9:23 Luke 9:23 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. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. People’s main goal in life seems to gain as much as they can with wealth and possessions. They don’t care how they acquire their status. Jesus told His disciples there was no advantage in gaining the whole world, if you’re going to lose the one thing that matters most, your life. What was the cross Jesus told the disciples they were to take up? Does it mean you are to take on responsibilities and cares you would rather not and feel you must because it’s part of the calling of God on your life? I’ve heard people say their cross was doing something that amounted to a chore for them. They didn’t do it gladly, but out of obligation. That is not taking up your cross. As Christians, you are not to take up burdens God never meant for you to carry. He will carry your burdens. He will come alongside you and carry the heavy load, making the situation you face light. Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV) Carrying your cross daily is doing what God called you to do. It’s spending your day in prayer and Bible study to know what God requires. When you know what God desires, the cross you bear will be light not heavy. It will be joy, not drudgery. The work you do will have meaning. Consider what Paul wrote to the Ephesian church. He didn’t talk to them about burdens, but of faith, and what being a Christian is in the eyes of God. Ephesians 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that fills all in all. (KJV) Jesus is our head, we are His body. It isn’t the body that does all the work, but the head. Consider the function of your body. Nothing happens without your brain sending signals to the different parts of your body to do anything. It is your brain that tells your lungs to breathe, your legs to walk, your hands to do, and your feet to go. They are not independent of the head. So, too, you are the body of Christ, and being the body, He gives the calling on your life. He gives you everything you need to fulfill your calling. He carries the burden, being the head. You don’t. Therefore, the cross you carry daily, is what you were called to do. Not something you must do to look holy and the perfect Christian because your life is pure drudgery and sacrifice. There is nothing burdensome when it comes to doing God’s work. Paul gave a good description of your duty as a member of Christ’s body. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (KJV) That is the cross Jesus called you to carry. Let’s pray: Father, give me a willing heart to do your will. Let me see my calling not as a burden, but joy because you called and equipped me to your work. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 26 September 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay