from B.M.I.C.

“Always Be Thankful”

. . . for food on your plate

. . . for lasting love, not hate

. . . for gifts of family and friends

. . . for hope in life that never ends

. . . for being able to read this page

. . . for having joy, no matter the age

. . . for knowing better days are just ahead

. . .for a prayer that gives thanks while ‘breaking bread’

“Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

make music to our God on the harp. . .

The Lord delights in those who fear Him,

who put their hope in His unfailing love.”

Psalm 147: 7 and 11

(Jim Cook is from Mt. Auburn, Il.

He is the BMIC Administrator and a

published poet. Jim is married to Ruth)

(Photo courtesy BING Images)

Taking up the Cross means dying to self, to live in Christ!

2) Take up your Cross – Nobody goes directly from denying themselves to following Jesus. First we go through crucifying experiences. Paul says: ‘I die daily’ 1Corinthians 15:31. Certain things in your life can be handled only one way – dying to them. Listen: ‘Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God’ Romans 6:11. Jesus did not even talk about the cross to His disciples, until He knew they understood this principle. Why? Because until you do, you will never see the cross as a plus.

3) Follow Him – Too often we take God’s presence for granted because He said He would never leave us. But He also said: ‘You did not choose me…I chose you’ John 15:16. It is not God’s job to follow you, it is your job to follow Him! When you do, it will cost you, change you, and challenge you. Sometimes you will go through valleys, other times you will stand with Him on the mountaintop. You must be willing to follow Him anywhere, any time, under any conditions; that is the deal! Still want to be a disciple of Jesus?

KEY VERSES:

Matthew 10:38
…and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 16:24
…Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Mark 8:34
…Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Luke 9:23
…Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 14:27
…And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

(Posted by Admin- BL)