ROMANS: Taking Up My Cross

Mark 8:34 KJV And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Many years ago, I was in search of a Bible study that would meet the needs of people on different levels. I was working behind the “Iron curtain” at the time and had an extremely diverse group of ‘parishioners.’ Some were hard-core atheists, well trained in communist doctrine from birth, while others were true saints in every sense of the word. The saints had sacrificed career, esteem, and freedom to be recognized as Christians. Between these two groups were the types of people that one finds all over the world. There were true believers who knew that they were God’s children but had never experienced the power of God. There were those who thought they were Christians but had no idea why or how. And there were those insecure about their future and their relationship with God. From honest seekers to ignorantly willful and willfully ignorant, all were in my classes. I needed to meet their spiritual needs. Like many other missionaries before me when faced with an impossible task, I began to ask God for help. After deciding that just letting him help was not enough I learned to let him take over. The result of turning this need over to God is this discipleship study through the book of Romans. It is my sincere prayer that the Father will use this study to change your life as he has the life of so many others and my own.

Acts 15:12 (New King James Version)

¹² Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

Thought for the day:  In the last six months, I have been extremely blessed.  I have personally seen God do one miracle after another.  Amazing does not even begin to describe it!  I have seen at least three people walk out of the hospital and go home after we prayed about what we thought was a pending “celestial” discharge.  I have seen two people walk away from car accidents that according to the responding officers should have had no survivors.  I have seen at least ten people pray for a job and get much more than they prayed for.  I’ve seen families reunited.  I have seen hearing restored and people healed.  I have seen God take what we have and turn it into what we need.  We should be declaring the wonders of our God.   Our God is truly awesome- don’t be surprised when He works miracles- watch for them.

My Father is omnipotent,

And that you can’t deny;

A God of might and miracles-

Tis written in the sky.

Psalm 19:1 (New International Version)

 ¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
       the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Thought for the day:  As I drove home last night there was a spectacular light show in the sky.  When the lightening would flash, a cloud bank would appear.  Then it would quickly fade away as the sky settled back into darkness.  At one point the moon peaked out from behind the clouds and then quickly disappeared.  It was an incredible show.  Until last night, every time I read this verse I thought about the sun, moon and stars.  Creation always came to mind.  Last night, that light show declared the Glory of God.  It was as though I could see the power of His hand in the night sky.  He is still powerful- still active.  Still worthy of our praise.

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power thru-out the universe displayed!

How great Thou art!

Proverbs 27:1 (New International Version)

 ¹ Do not boast about tomorrow,
       for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Thought for the day:  When I was an engineering student at the University of Illinois, I had a plan.  I was going to graduate, receive my commission in the US Army, and boldly go…you get the point right?  I was good.  I was at the top of my class.  I was tough.  I was rock solid.  I… I… I… I had a good plan, but it wasn’t God’s plan for me.  One torn ligament and I suddenly had no idea what my future held.  My plans suddenly and completely changed one month before graduation.  There is no doubt in my mind that my life now is oh so much better than the one I had planned. You see, God has met every one of my needs.  I have learned that when I put my trust in Him, He comes through with much more than I could have ever imagined.

I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day;

I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray;

I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said;

And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.