2 Corinthians 4:7-11
New International Version (NIV)
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.
The CROSS is the center of our relationship with Jesus. The cross is where we die. The cross is where we live. To go there daily, is not easy. When you think about God as creator and how he created everything out of nothing , it makes me realize - I have to be NOTHING before I can be anything of use for God. To be dragged to the foot of the cross, forced to my knees at the foot of Calvary where I MUST die to self, release my pride, anger and let go of my dreams and desires is not easy but it leaves me in a place of hope.... a place of surrender.... a place where God wants me to be.
I shared with the kids that in life we will have difficulties and setbacks.... they could not name one yet in their little lives of 13, 11 and 9. How sweet and vulnerable their eyes were this morning as I spoke to each of them one by one and said "YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE, you will get devastating news, you will hurt, your heart will be broken..." They must have thought "What kind of Mother are you!?".. .. but my question to them was this.... When IT happens - what will you do - will you run TO Jesus or will you run AWAY from Him? The cross is our answer.
God - help us not to fear but rather embrace the hope we have in you through the cross , both death and life. Thank you for the cross my friend.
The CROSS is the center of our relationship with Jesus. The cross is where we die. The cross is where we live. To go there daily, is not easy. When you think about God as creator and how he created everything out of nothing , it makes me realize - I have to be NOTHING before I can be anything of use for God. To be dragged to the foot of the cross, forced to my knees at the foot of Calvary where I MUST die to self, release my pride, anger and let go of my dreams and desires is not easy but it leaves me in a place of hope.... a place of surrender.... a place where God wants me to be.
I shared with the kids that in life we will have difficulties and setbacks.... they could not name one yet in their little lives of 13, 11 and 9. How sweet and vulnerable their eyes were this morning as I spoke to each of them one by one and said "YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE, you will get devastating news, you will hurt, your heart will be broken..." They must have thought "What kind of Mother are you!?".. .. but my question to them was this.... When IT happens - what will you do - will you run TO Jesus or will you run AWAY from Him? The cross is our answer.
God - help us not to fear but rather embrace the hope we have in you through the cross , both death and life. Thank you for the cross my friend.
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