TAKE UP MY CROSS AND FOLLOW ME

Take up my cross and follow me...........Eph 4:1-7 - I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

We are here to walk worthy of the calling we have been given, we are to take up our cross and follow Him. He has given us the means to do just that. Being humble and gentle are a couple of the characteristics the world can not fight against or understand at times. It's easier to reach out to the world when we are hold our heads up in humility, instead of looking down our noses. Our love for one another is another characteristic that the world sees in us. If the world sees us squabble amongst one another, what should they think of christian love?

John 13:35 - "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. (Psalms 34:3)

Romans 12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,* by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual* worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world,* but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others

I Thessalonians 4:9-12 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I want to be that candle that shines so bright that folks ask why, I want to be the salt of the earth and do everything purely for God. Lord, I want to always bear my cross so that maybe others will see my example of You, in me and want to take thier cross and follow you.

Humility is were it all starts, giving up self, to serve God. Examining ourselves and seeing the sin that holds us back from so much. When we are self-serving ...how can we serve God? Humility does not start when we serving others, it starts when we are ready to receive it. Humility is from the Lord, it is when we deny ourselves and let the Lord work in our lives. It is when glory is given only to Him, and Him alone.

Col 3:12 (NRSV) As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Cristina