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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Take Up Your Cross
By Pastor Eggebrecht @ 2:05 PM :: 54 Views :: Pastors Message

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Those are difficult words for us from Jesus. Read them again: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Are you ready to do that? To deny yourself completely? To take up your cross? To follow Jesus no matter where He leads?

Are you ready to put the needs of others always first? Are you ready to risk the difficulties you might face simply for making it known that you believe in Jesus? Are you ready to go wherever Jesus wants you to go?

I certainly find all of those things to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to do. I don't want to deny myself. I don't want to take up my cross. I don't want to follow Jesus to all of the different places He leads. I want my life to fulfill my selfish desires. I want things to be easy. I don't want to accept the challenges that arise from being a Christian.

That's why I'm so glad that Jesus denied Himself; that He took up the cross; that He followed the will of His Father for me. That's why I'm glad He sets aside Sunday mornings to give me what I need each week. He forgives me of my sins. By His Word and Spirit He takes my selfishness away and gives me the desire to serve others and take the risks that are inherent in being a Christian.

Pray that all the people of Mt. Calvary would be renewed by God's Word and Spirit to follow the path of Jesus. Bring others to the services of God's house where the cross of Christ is proclaimed to and for all people. Tell others about Jesus, no matter what the risk in doing so might be.