Bear Your Cross Don't Just Sport It

Church members wear a cross. A Christian bears his. – Anon

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day wore modified clothing with wide phylacteries and tassels to be seen. Jesus said they were hypocrites. OUCH!

Look all around you and possibly even on your person and you see it. Designer wear clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry, etc. It’s all the rave today, and most folks are not ashamed to let you see the label or tell you what it cost. It’s often that way in the religious world as well. People wearing a name and emblems that don’t fit the lifestyle. On this day some 2000+ years ago, our Lord bore the shame and agony of the true cross for us. It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t the rave of the day, but it was expensive – it cost His life. Now’s the time for us to bear the cross for Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23

Today's A New Day

Don't let yesterday take up too much of today! - Richard Murray

When the Prodigal son came to his senses, he 'rushed' right home. Hmm!

"What's the use? Why should I try? It's never going to get any better!" Statements we've heard or maybe even uttered in our lifetime. What do they have in common? Too much emphasis on what has happened (yesterday) and not enough faith in what can happen (today). The remedy! Take the focus off of you, put it on God. Ask yourself, 'Why did God bless me with this day? Just to suffer more - NO.' He blessed me with today to trust Him more, to lean into Him a little harder, and to be a blessing to someone else. Remember, no matter your state or circumstances, the gift of today is for more than just you. When you learn to GIVE your blessing in part or whole to others, amazingly more blessings flow to you. Go figure, but that's how God works it. And maybe, just maybe, that ONE blessing that you need to show you 'What's the use?' is waiting to come to you to show you God heard you all along.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." - Psalm 51:12