Tjifa
Thank Jesus It's Friday Again!
March 8, 2002
Subject: PREPARATION 2 (CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK)
This Weeks Newsletter is a continuation from last week's letter on preparation.
As we look forward to the greatest celebration of the Christian faith - Resurrection Sunday, I hope that these letters will also prepare your heart to receive this Glorious Year.
Have a great Spring Break!
Looking Forward,
See Ya Next Time
TER
THE PREPARATION -#2
(continued)
Luke 9: 10-24; 24 "...let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me." IV
5. Walk In the Spirit.
Jesus showed and taught His disciples how He wanted them to carry on after His departure, but like some of us, the disciples were a bit thick when it came to understanding and participating in spiritual matters.
Remember He gave them power, told them what to do and sent them out. In(v. 10) they are coming back to report what happened, and I'm sure that they were very excited . Jesus took them aside, away from the crowd...but the crowd followed them and Jesus welcomed the crowd and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God and healed all who had need of healing. (ref Lk9:11) Possibly demonstrating, to His disciples and to us, that every opportunity to preach the Gospel should be welcomed in willingness, joy and anticipation of the move of God. But the disciples anticipated only one thing-The need for the crowd to eat, and if this need was not satisfied, they could have an angry, hungry crowd on their hands.
The physical needs, in the world's system, have always taken precedence over spiritual concerns, but Jesus was teaching the importance of souls to the Kingdom of God. The Physical will be taken care of if you persevere in the Spirit. This is a hard lesson, look at Martha and Mary. Martha might have interrupted Jesus as He sat and talked because she wanted her sister to help her prepare food. (Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the good part...The Spiritual Food. John 11)
believe that Jesus was preparing His disciples to walk in the spirit and to know that
The Spirit was and is sufficient for everything. How else would they know? How else would we know that God is sufficient unless He showed Himself to be.'‘
6. Deny yourself
7. Pick up your cross and follow me.
Jesus, once again, took His disciples aside and asked them "Who do they say I am? The Disciples answered Him "John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the Prophets from long ago... ruse: ( Others will never recognize or know who you are in your calling.)
Peter answered. "The Christ, of God." Lk9:29,NIV.
Jesus confirmed this revelation then commanded them to tell no one. He confided in them that Elders, Priests, and men of the law wanted to kill Him. Then Jesus said "If anyone come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me Lk 9:23.
In His disciple group, Jesus had various occupations; Doctor, Tax Collector, Fishermen, Writers, Accountant laborer, He was a carpenter. All of these men had to stripe themselves of what they knew brought them wealth and a living in the past and now be willing to daily be ridiculed, misunderstood, falsely accused, persecuted. Being called insurrectionists, being blasphemed and lied on, living a life of separation.
Recall Paul and what great fame he had killing Christians then "The Call" came and his life was never the same again. He began to feel to hatred of those who hated Christ. Where once he had stood.
When you deny yourself, you give up the standing in the world made for yourself and allow God to mold you into who and what you really are.
There is nothing glamorous about the cross that we are instructed to pick up daily. It is not a cross of gold, silver, diamond or pearl. No. It is a cross of shame. The same shame that Jesus endured when He hung on Calvary. But it has been changed in our minds to resemble luxurious living and a life free of any trials or difficulties. This is far from true. Our preparation to follow Christ, to be a good witness should be no less than that of His disciples.
I pray that this outline can help you on your journey.
God Bless You!
Looking Forward
See Ya Next Time
TER
NOTEWORTHY :
It took Jesus twenty nine and a half years to prepare for a two and a half year ministry. Seminary is two to four years to prepare for a life long ministry.
• -For every drop of Martyr's blood, there are one thousand Christians added to the Kingdom of God. The ratio is 1:1000. (Dave Weaver)
• The News Media has become user tolerable to the public since September 11, 2001 because the Public witnessed emotions which were also felt by the public, this broke the barrier between the two. Now the media is trusted more because their human side has been revealed. (700 Club)
• The question was asked: "If you knew that tomorrow was to be the end of the world, what would you do? Answer: Plant an apple tree. Question Why? Answer: Because I don't want Jesus to come and find me not working. (Martin Luther)
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In The Mirror:
THE CROSS
There was a man who thought the he had a heavier cross than he could bear so he notified Jesus. He pleaded with Jesus to take this cross and give him a much lighter one. Jesus agreed and took him on tour of the cross room. There were all sizes of cross there, with names pasted on them. He saw Paul's; and John's and Matthew's. But they Were much more than he could handle. So he moved on to the medium crosses...then the little crosses. Finally looking he saw a tiny cross in the corner, without a name or so it seemed. Jesus, Jesus I'll take that one. Can I have it? Jesus gave it to him. When he picked it up it seemed familiar. He turned it over and saw his name. Jesus you tricked me. Jesus quietly replied... you tricked yourself. I gave you that same cross, but you never asked for my strength to carry it. You never came to me in humility asking for my assistance. You only came complaining about the tiniest cross in the room.