You cannot be a disciple without the cross. The divine prescription for discipleship is
“And he said unto them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”Luke 9:23-24, KJV
A lot of people don’t want to take up the cross. That is why it is difficult to make disciples out of miracle seekers.
Pray –
- Lord, have mercy on me. Help me this year to be a worthy ambassador of Christ. Grant me grace to take up the cross on daily basis. Do not allow me to be misguided. Do not allow me to be earth bound.
- Do not allow me to play with the God connection. Help me to walk hand in hand with you so that you purpose may be fulfilled in every facet of my life. Make it impossible for me to disconnection from the way in the name of Jesus.
- Where you are is where I want to be. Guide me by the skillfulness of your hand to my allotted inheritance in you.
- Make heaven more real to me than any earthly thing can ever be.
- Fill me with Christ till the world no longer sees me but Jesus shining through me in the powerful name of Jesus. Thank you ancient of days. I declare that through you, I shall do valiantly.
- I ask you, O God, to empower me to be rapture ready. Help me never to remove my eyes from the cross. Grant me grace to take it daily and to follow Jesus. Thank you Lord, in Jesus name.
Grace flows from the benevolence of God. The greatest display of the grace of God is the cross of Christ. That is why it is impossible to produce a true disciple of Christ without the cross.
“But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”Genesis 39:21, KJV
Part of the blessings of the presence of God is unmerited favour which is grace. He gave it to Joseph just like that. If you find favour with God, your life will be like a symphony. When others are saying there is a casting down or hardship, you will just be soaring because heaven has backed you up. Heaven has anointed you.
The spirit of grace is the same Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, the spirit of sanctification, the spirit of power and wisdom of God, the spirit of Christ. If the Holy Spirit is working in you, part of the things he will deposit in your life is grace. Your life will be full of it. One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit that I love so much is oil. Oil removes friction. May the Lord oil your path to greatness in the mighty name of Jesus.
TO BE CONTINUED.