A Cross Bearing Decision

Mark 15:21

A man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from

the country just then, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross.  (NLT)

     The Lord does not force anyone to bear their own cross or do His will.  Although He commands us to do many things and helps us in our quest to do what is right, He leaves the decision making up to us.  When we are called by the Lord God, we must deny the world and take up our own cross where we nail our old life of sin and rebellion to His Cross where it dies.  The Son of God was innocent of any sin, yet He volunteered to take the sins of the entire world upon Himself and be condemned to die the sinners death that we deserve. The Lord was not forced to die our death and take our punishment.  Instead, He loved us so much that He gave to us what we could not give ourselves. He did for us that which was impossible for us to do on our own. We all come into this world as sinners, and we will all leave this world as sinners. The only way anyone will escape the sinners death is through the atoning blood of Christ Jesus, for it is the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of God that washes us clean and keeps us clean. Without the blood of Jesus, there is no hope in this life or for eternal life.

     The formula for eternal life is not a complicated process.  It is not something that depends on our own abilities, for we can never be good enough or pay enough to stand sinless before the throne of God. The robe of righteousness that Jesus offers us has been paid for with His life's blood, for only our perfect Lord God and Savior is mighty enough to die the sinners death and live to tells us about it. It is only through Jesus' death and resurrection that your own death and resurrection is glorious rather than dreadful; so if you choose.   The blood of Jesus is your only hope of surviving this wicked world  in victory.

From My Healing Heart

Out of pure ignorance, I chose the path of this world as the way to victory, unaware that the victory the world was offering ends in death and condemnation.  But little did I know that the Lord was simply preparing me for His good purpose. The Holy Spirit has revealed to me how He has directed each of my steps through this life-journey of bad decisions, which has led me to this very moment as a child of the Living God.

Revelation 17:14

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them

because His Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be  His called,

chosen and faithful followers.  (NIV)

                                            A Sill Small Voice

I chose you before the world began, child...but you do not have to choose Me.  But either way, I will use you to fulfill My purpose and promise. But when you choose Me there will be eternal victory.  Without Me there is only eternal death and darkness.  Come with Me and live!