Perseverance...Strength

~~~ Revelation 15:1-4 ~~~ Psalm 98 ~~~ Luke 21:12-19 ~~~

The invitation to follow Jesus
includes freely taking up your cross as you walk with him.
There is not just one cross...we do not enter into a 'life cross' lottery.

Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!

Our crosses take on various forms...sometimes
 they are physical diseases...
sometimes they are painful rejections by loved ones...
sometimes they are lost dreams...
sometimes they are broken hearts...
sometimes they are the death of loved ones...
sometimes they are persecutions for believing in God...
sometimes they are conflicting morals...
No stage of life is completely free of crosses to bear.

None of us wants to be hated because of how or who we worship.
Jesus calms our anxieties.
Jesus soothes our hearts.
Jesus puts our mind at rest.

...You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair 
on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

Jesus keeps us from falling apart.
Jesus gives us the strength to persevere to the end.

 I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking

that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.

Jesus puts the words on our lips.
Jesus puts the song in our hearts.
Jesus puts the twinkle in our eyes when we speak of him.
Jesus is all that we need.

We will play God's harps of gold...
we will be purified and proven in the fire...
we will not be consumed by the fire...

We must not shrink from our crosses, they are the
fires that purify our souls.

By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

One day we will join those who have been tested.
We will take our place...
being short please Lord let me see you face.
Reap the Blessings of perseverance...
You carry your cross with those who walk along your side.
We come together to care and support one another.
No cross is too great when you have the love
 of God to fortify your soul.

~~~Peace~~~