With our minds renewed and hearts made right by the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our savior; I want to expound upon overcoming self-interests, and focus upon the cross.   amazon.com

Hopefully, we can learn the secret of our purpose and to living an overcoming life here on this Earth until the coming of the Lord. amazon

There's a battle raging in our lives everyday we live.  The spirit man is against the carnal man. amazon.com amazon.com
Jesus makes a statement in Mark's gospel Chapter 8:34.." whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take us his cross and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life will loose it; but whosoever will loose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." amazon.com
He [Jesus] tells us in Matthew's gospel Chapter 6:24..."that we cannot serve God and Mammon.  We must put our priorities in perspective." amazon.com

I believe the cross teaches us many things that are important to our living an overcoming life; and a life which will please our Heavenly Father. amazon.com amazon.com

I believe that it is through the practical experiences of the cross that God's spirit teaches us.   Therefore, this would make the cross the basis to which all the workings of the spirit operate toward you and in you as a Christian. amazon.com

You see, as one writer put it, "The cross is the barrier which separates good from evil." amazon.com

We will never understand the deep secrets of the cross until we desire to be like the one who first set forth the example.  He [Jesus] tasted death for you and I that we would be able to have fellowship with God through his [Jesus'] sacrifice on the cross. (Hebrews 2:9) amazon.com

It takes faith to believe this and I might add this; faith demands a decision before it can function.  Here are some things to think and pray about concerning the cross and its demands.  amazon.com

• There is no light on the death side of the cross where man, by nature, is shut out from God. amazon.com

This, I believe, would bring Psalms 34:17-19 into the picture.  A broken and a contrite Spirit God will not dispise.  amazon.com
When we see the Cross and what part it plays in our lives, we can be what our Heavenly Father desires us to be for we see on the other side of our death experience (self-denial) the glorious light of the Grace and wisdom of God.  This is where we battle the enemy from.  This is where our real joy expresses itself. amazon.com
In Mark's gospel Chapter 10:46-52, there is a blind man sitting by the wayside begging.  His name is Bartimaeus.  He heard of Jesus passing by and began to cry out, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me."  He would not quit crying out even though he was told by many to hold his peace.  But Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. amazon.com

Jesus questioned the man and gave him the desire of his life.  He restored the man's sight and notice what takes place, and so he followed Jesus.  amazon.com

Yes, Bartimeaus became a disciple.  He denied himself and took up the cross (a way of life).  He was no longer a begger; but he was a giver.  A giver of what he had received, not the physical sight, although he told of it at every opportunity he had, but the spiritual sight, and eternal life Jesus gave to him. amazon.com

Until then, I pray that the Holy Spirit will enlighten your cross experience, and that each day as you crucify your flesh and it's desires, you will come to know Jesus as you have never known him before. amazon.com
God bless and keep you until next time, amazon.com
I Remain In Service of Him,
Rev. Golden Gautreaux