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When will the Cross be a joy in our life ?! Without a Cross would not be Christianity . We could never be separated from the Cross . Christianity could never be separated from the Cross........ Christianity without a cross would not be christianity..... The Lord said , " If anyone desires to come after Me , let him deny himself , take up his cross , and follow Me " ( Mt16:21 ) He even said more than that , " And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it , and he who loses his life for My sake will find it " ( M:10:38,39 ). The cross could be from the inside or from the outside...... From the inside , as the apostle says , " I have been crucified with Christ ; it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me " ( Gal.2:20 ) Therfore , self denial is a cross....................Few are those who succed in carrying this cross....... As For the outside cross , it is any affliction that the faithful endures for the sake of God , either of his own will or imposed on him. The Lord Jesus Christ said about this , " In the world you will have tribulation " ( Jn.16:33 ) It was also said , " Many are the afflictions of the righteous " ( Ps.34: ) And He also said , " and you will be hated by all for My name's sake " ( Mt.10:22 ) And , " We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God " ( Acts.14:22 ) We welcome and rejoice with the cross , and see our strength in it . As the apostle said , " For the message of Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing , but to us who are being saved , it is the power of God " ( 1 Cor.1:18 ) But this Cross , with all its sorrows and hardships , is a source of our glory and of our joy. As the apostle says , " But God forbid that I should glory except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ , by whom the world has been crucified to me , and I to the world " ( Gal.6:14 ) The apostle also says , " Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities , in reproaches , in needs , in persecution , in distress for Christ's sake . For when I am weak , then I am strong " ( 2 Cor.12:10 ) Our Teacher james the apostle , advises us by saying , " My brethern , count it all joy when you fall into various trials , knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience " ( Jas.1:2,3 ) The church used to teach us how to love suffering for the sake of God , and planted in our minds the saying of the Bible , " But even if I should suffer for righteousness' sake , you are blessed " ( 1 Pet.3:14 ) Christianity even considered suffering is a gift from God.... The Bible said , " ...... for you it has been granted on behalf of Christ , not only to believe in Him , but also to suffer for His sake " ( Phil.1:29 ) In suffering and in carrying the Cross , God does not leave His ....... The Psalm says , " Many are the afflictions of the righteous " . But it is followed by by ...... " But the Lord delivers him out of them all " ( Ps.34:19 ) It also says , " For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land alloted to the righteous " In addition to the cross for righteousness , the cross of love and sacrifice , , the cross in offering , there is another Crosss : There is cross for endurance , turning the other cheek and walking the Second mile. It is not only bearing people's abuses , but being good to those who spitefully use you and also loving them !! Who can do that ?.......... It is a Cross...... " For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him , but also to suffer for His sake " When will the cross be a joy in our life ? Blessings Demas3 
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3/24/2011 10:01 pm |
In this world , we always have troble and persecution. But God has said : John 16:33 - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." So, what to worry about?  The cross will be a joy when someone can understand the word of God according to God's purpose, not of her/his own understanding. Proverbs 3 5 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 - In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 - Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Stay Blessed Natalia When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon my heart, I will pray like David prayed
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3/25/2011 4:14 am |
Hi Natalia Thank you for your great comment and the blessed words and verses you shared Blesed friend, Each stage has its impact and effect. It has a duration of time beyond which it does not go. Gologotha is a stage , so is the Resurrection. The ascent to heaven is a stage that extends to the sitting on the right hand of the Father , where there is final rest. A Golgotha , as a stage in life , does not last for ever. It passes as we rejoice in the resurrection and our situation improves and the Cross turns to a crown and glory ......... Happy is the one who looks continually with hope for the next stage. Happy is the one whom dificulties do not send to the other extreme. For a difficulty is only a stage in life and the solution of that difficlty is yet another stage. God bless you Demas
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