Nails
This past Sunday in the message I shared what the life of sacrifice looked like in the kingdom of God. Here are some verses to encourage you and the quote I shared as well. Be encouraged to live the same life of sacrifice that Jesus lived this week.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14.27
If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9.23
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2.2
That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Philippians 3.10
Quote from Sunday's message: We tell the Lord in the beginning of the day that we want to do his will regardless of the cost. Yet we often find, by nightfall, that our cross, so earnestly accepted in the morning hours, has been dropped somewhere along the way. Why is our cross so difficult to hold on to while Christ persevered to the end? What did the cross of Christ have that ours lacks? Answer: NAILS. The nails are to Jesus’ cross what our obedience is to Christ’s call to discipleship. Have you noticed the nails that are offered to you each day? They are the momentary situations in which you have a choice to make: Deciding not to explode in anger when your kid breaks something you told her not to touch. Helping someone when you are rushed for time and don’t feel like helping. Being a host even if it costs you time, money, or position. Not insisting on having things done your own way even though you’re convinced you are right. Sometimes the nails seem so small, yet they’re so essential. (Michael Smith, “Nails,” Discipleship Journal 2, no. 7 (January 1982): 33)
Working for your joy,
Jerry
