Memory Verse: “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved”. (Matt. 10:22) NKJV
DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING
Sat. 23/1/2016
Carry Your Cross To Wear Your Crown
Mk. 8:34-38; Phil. 3:18
Men and women are physically nailed to wooden crosses annually in a Northern Philippines village: Good Friday ritual re – enacting the suffering and death of Jesus. The victims normally are called “KRISTOS”, carried heavy wooden crosses on their backs in a slow walk to the nearby hill where they are eventually crucified! Five inch nails soaked in alcohol were hammered into the palms and feet of each of the kristos after which their crosses were lifted to a vertical position for 3hours under the scorching sun. Oh, dear childern of God, this is not the cross Jesus was talking about. Jesus was saying “If anyone intends to come after me, let him deny himself (forget, ignore, disown and lose sight of himself and of his interest) and take up his cross and (joining me as a disciple and siding with my party) and follow me (continually, cleaving, steadfastly to me) – Mk. 8: 34 AMP”. The emphasis is that to bear cross means to forget, ignore and disown yourself! It means to be ready to do the will of God and to seek His will in ALL we go through. Road to the throne is your daily trials, sacrificial obedience and adversities. No matter the trials of life, remain loyal and true to the cross and you are sure of wearing the glorious crown at the end.
Point of Emphasis: No great person in the kingdom has moved from cradle to the throne without the “Nails” of the cross.
Prayer Point: Lord, Jesus, help me to do your will always.
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