Jesus told His disciples

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. #Bible

To deny ones self, that is a tall order in today's society. So many ways of pleasure and comfort.
How do we deny ourselves and take up our crosses?
I believe we need to prove to ourselves and to God that nothing is between us and our Father God. By any means necessary we keep clear and close to follow Jesus like we do in times of trouble and distress, but even in good times when we are easily distracted. We must always remember our Lord's Sacrifice.

I believe

John 20:29 Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. #Bible

I haven't seen Jesus, well that I know of. I believe in Jesus because He called me in my heart, and I answered. Jesus is Lord.

Draw near

James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. #Bible

Isn't it interesting that James tells us that God will draw near to us, even before we cleanse our hands and purify our hearts?
I think the reaction for we believers is recognizing we are double-minded and in need of cleansing our hands and purifying our hearts because we desire to please our Lord and Father God.
That is so little compared to what God has done for us through His Son Jesus the Christ.

Everlasting Trust

Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. #Bible

Our Father God is Everlasting so trusting Him forever makes sense. If you believe in Jesus then you have the privilege to trust God our Father forever.
By the way, believing is to trust God, to depend on God, and even rely on God. So trust God with your whole life.

Rule and Reign

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. #Bible

As reported in the news these days we hear Christians are persecuted at all time highs. Maybe its because perfect love from God our Father that we share with the world is seen as weakness to the world of nonbelievers.
We Christians are blessed with the Righteousness of our Lord Jesus the Christ, and in the world to come its value will be recognized when we rule and reign with our Savior Christ Jesus.

You crucified

Acts 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. #Bible

Some people want to point the finger, or accuse who they think are responsible for crucifying Jesus the Christ. Well I think that old saying proves true, that says "you point your finger at someone you have three fingers point at you."

We, the whole world is to blame because all have sined, no one is sin free.  If sin is difficult to understand, then think of rebellion.
We know the right thing to do yet we because of our desires choose to do the wrong thing.
The Lamb of God was sent to be the requirement of our rebellion, or sin against God. Not only did God our Father love us first, He loved us enough to send His only Son Jesus to satisfy His requirement for our sin. Jesus died to set us free from sin and allowed us once again to have peace with God our Father. Praise Him.

Dude gone stupid.

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/02/247371-2-judge-jeanine-mystified-president-obama/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=conservativedaily&utm_campaign=Media

Makes sense

Proverbs 12:11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. #Bible

In our day and age we are surrounded by worthless pursuits, distractions on every side.
For example, you look at your data phone for one thing and end up spending a half hour on YouTube, or some game. Maybe go the store to pick up one item and leaving with ten other items with the need being questionable.

Life is the same with temptations, some with addictions that last a life time, or doing things that are down right dangerous.  Doing what's difficult at first like the right thing, comes with great rewards in the long run.