Stay the Course

~~~ Exodus 1:8-14, 22 ~~~ Psalm 124 ~~~ 

~~~ Matthew 10:34—11:1 ~~~

Whoever receives you receives me,

and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

Jesus is sending out the apostles with his blessing.

His speech to them is one building up their confidence.

The message Jesus brought to the world 

was very contrary to the times.

His message was so radical that it was necessary

 to prepare them for opposing forces.

Jesus told them even their own family members would

not understand what they were preaching.

The apostles had to believe deep in their heart.

The apostles had to put Jesus before all else in their life.

They had to go forth without looking back.

They had to believe with their whole being that Jesus

 had the true message for salvation.

...whoever does not take up his cross

and follow after me is not worthy of me.

Jesus did not try to paint the perfect picture.

He did not try to deceive them with glitter and gold.

Jesus warned them of the difficulties they would encounter.

Jesus was looking for those who were willing

 to spread the message in spite of persecution.

Jesus asks them to stay the course in the face of difficulties.

For us Jesus is making the same request...

or is it a requirement?

It is impossible to follow Jesus 

without the willingness to take up our own cross.

We may not realize our cross on a daily basis,

but when they come we must face them.

 Our help is in the name of the Lord.

In order to best follow Jesus we must develop

 our personal relationship with him.

If we do not have a deep rooted relationship with Jesus

 the crosses we face will cause us to crumble.

Become one of Jesus' best friends.

Read the Bible as often as you can...let the words

 of Jesus be your strength.

Jesus blesses us with the grace to stay the course

helping us to carry our cross.

We each have our own cross to carry.

We cannot leave it behind or pass

 it on to someone else...

Your cross is your cross.

~~~Peace~~~