Today's Reading: Mark 8: 31- 9:1
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Mark 8: 31- 9:1
Bible Study
This section is the last part of yesterday's conclusion of Jesus' teaching and walking with His disciples.
It is an examination to His disciples checking where there hearts were. And there is just one key word: The Cross.
It's not easy to say YES to the Cross Jesus wants you to carry. That's why for the past few chapters are all kinds of records showing how Jesus taught His disciples to overcome FEAR. The last "stop" is the Cross, that is death!
Jesus rebuked Peter saying that he did not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men. Which are the things cause us more fear? The things of God or the things of men?
Jesus says, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
The things of men and of this world is for us to get, to gain. We are always in fear because we never can get and gain enough!
The things of God is for us to give, to lose even to lose our lives. We are always in fear because we never can give that much to God!
So, at the end, who wins? To get or to give? The "I" or the "Cross"?
Have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to God as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
My Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: Fear of the Cross!
How Jesus teaches us not to be afraid will lead us to a final destination: the Cross.
If you want to follow you need to follow Him fully and you can't get rid of the Cross. Yes, you can get away from the Cross and stay in your selfish way of getting, gaining and living in you own way. But, sooner or later you are going to lose all if you do not lose once to give it all to Jesus and be willing to die on the Cross following His good example of obedience.
The Cross can mean quite a number of things to you. It can be first your willingness to put down your un-believe to receive Jesus as your Savior, your Lord and King. Then it can be your willingness to have your daily devotion, your willingness to go to Sunday worship and on time, your willingness to tithe, your willingness to join a small group, your willingness to try all your best to bring your first relative or friend to Jesus and then more people to His Kingdom, your willingness to face the storm of your life, opposition, accusation, attack and death!
Is that too much for you? No, it's just one word, one simple but fundamental word -
The Cross!
How is your fear of the Cross?
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for giving me an honor to carry my cross for you. Help us to have the courage to carry our cross that we can be free in all kinds of fear. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Chinese praise song - 主你是我力量 You are my strength
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