Follow Jesus in Faith Daily:
Taking Up the Cross
Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask in prayer,
you will receive if you have faith.
Last night we left our van in the parking lot at the mall over 30 miles from our home.
“I wish we had never bought this daXX van,” I said wanting to kick the tires. Yes, I cussed.
We bought the 1999 Chevy Venture from a crooked dealer. He told us it only had 139,000 miles on the car. We found out later he lied. I felt like a fool for taking his word and not researching the car and his dealership before I bought it.
Now, almost six months later, the car overheats regularly and has no air. My feelings about this car sap my faith. It is just a car that we spent $2,700, but I struggle to forgive the crook! I actually hate him at times for scamming us.
I just recently determined in my heart that I will forgive him, but this forgiveness did not last long because of last night. The situation has brought back frustration, hate, and anger.
This struggle with anger and hate makes me feel like a failure in life. I am so far from walking in faith even after almost 40 years of walking with Christ.
I tell this story for the newly saved. We all have struggles, even the most mature Christians. I know I do. I want to forgive. I want to have great faith that no matter what I face, Christ will see me through. I fall short so many times. Remember as Christians, we will struggle. We will fall, and we will doubt.
After you have been to the cross, what are your next steps in the redemption journey?
We find the answer in these passages: Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; and Luke 14:27. All these passages center around taking up the cross and becoming Jesus’s disciple.
Matthew 10: 38
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Luke 9: 23
Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
When I struggle with anger, I have to pray for calm and peace and to put aside the anger.
As I look back on last night, I see Jesus at work. He sent two friends of my husband just in time to provide us a way home. Then He provided my husband with help this morning to go and try to fix the car. I pray now that it all works out well, but no matter what I will pick up my cross today and have faith that God will see me through this momentary problem.
I wrote this prayer for another blogging series.
Dear Jesus,
Let faith in You become a priority in my life this year. Increase in me a fervent desire to follow you daily no matter the trials I face in life or if I fall. Jesus, I desire for my fervent faith to burn a hole in my soul if I miss a day with You. Instead of focusing on momentary, daily problems, let the emotions of love overwhelm me and bring me to my knees. Let me remember the sacrifice that you made for me and see your loving face in agony on a cross, dying for my sins.
Do not let me slip into apathy and neglect your great gifts of grace and love. Emblazon them on my countenance that I might draw others to discover your truth and love.
I praise and worship, your Holy Name, as I seek to walk with you. Hold my hand and feel my heart to capacity with your light, grace, and mercies.
Lord Jesus. Amen
Share your prayers of faith today in the comments section. What are your struggling with when it comes to faith, taking up your cross daily, and following Jesus?
Read more of my A to Z for Spiritual Redemption. My other posts include:
- #LMMLinkup: A is for Acceptance
- #AtoZChallenge: B is for Believe
- #AtoZChallenge: C is for Cross
- #AtoZChallenge: D is For Devotion
- #AtoZChallenge: E is for Eternal
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