MARGIES BIMS

JUST JEWELRY? MATTHEW 27:22-26**********

GALATIANS 6:14 SAY'S "GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD BOAST EXCEPT IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." SOME CHRISTIANS MAKE IT A HABIT TO WEAR A CROSS. IT MAY BE ON A NECKLACE OR A LAPEL PIN. IT MAY BE WORN THOUGHTLESSLY AS A DECORATION OR PRAYERFULLY TO LET PEOPLE KNOW OF THE WEARER'S PERSONAL FAITH.

IN APRIL 2006, A METHODIST CHURCH IN THE CITY OF DUDLEY, ENGLAND, FOUND OUT THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO PAY A FEE TO PUT A CROSS IT'S NEW BUILDING. YES, A FEE WAS REQUIRED BECAUSE UNDER BRITISH LAW THE CROSS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT.

IT PROCLAIMS TO THE WORLD, WHETHER ON A PERSON OR A BUILDING, THAT THE BLOOD-STAINED CROSS OF CALVARY IS OUR ONLY HOPE OF FORGIVENESS AND SALVATION.

OUR BIBLE READING TODAY TELLS US OF THE CROSS-THE INSTRUMENT OF EXECUTION USED ON OUR SAVIOR (MATT. 27:22-26). THE CROWD IN ANGER SHOUTED, "LET HIM BE CRUCIFIED!

THE CROSS IS A SIGN OF HIS DEATH, AND MUST NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. THIS SHOULD CAUSE US TO EXAMINE WHAT THE CROSS MEANS TO US. IS IT A WITNESS TO OUR ETERNAL HOPE IN THE SAVING DEATH OF JESUS ON CALVARY? OR IS IT SOMETHING ELSE?

WHILE WEARING THE CROSS MAY BE A CHALLENGING MARK OF DISCIPLESHIP, FAR MORE CHALLENGING IS OUR LORD'S COMMAND THAT WE "TAKE UP OUR CROSS DAILY" AND LEARN WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS (LUKE 9:23). THAT INCLUDES A WILLINGNESS TO PRACTICE COSTLY DISCIPLESHIP.

TAKE UP THE CROSS AND FOLLOW ME,
I HEAR THE BLESSED SAVIOR CALL;
HOW CAN I MAKE A LESSER SACRIFICE
WHEN JESUS GAVE HIS ALL?

BECAUSE JESUS BORE THE CROSS FOR US, WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE IT UP FOR HIM. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND PUT ON YOUR CROSSES. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY**************
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