Taking up Your Cross
By Joe Tannous
I hear many people speaking about “taking up your cross”, and what they mean by saying that, is passing through hard circumstances, sickness, poverty, trials…. but I am getting into an understanding that this is not what Jesus meant. If we want to know about taking up the cross, we should look at Jesus and learn from Him, He is the leader, He said “Take up your cross and follow me”. Following Him, is not only walking behind Him, is learning from Him, is following His example, to walk the same path He walked. Now, Jesus faced hard circumstances, yes, but was that the cross? Absolutely not! He was rejected, yes, but was that the cross? Absolutely not! In some place He didn't find a place to sleep, but was that the cross? Absolutely not! The cross is DYING!!!! Through all this circumstances, Jesus was learning how to die, Jesus died long before being nailed to the cross, Jesus took up the cross all His life. Jesus would never be able to do one single miracle if He wasn't dead already. What did He die for even before dying on the cross? The answer is self, Jesus died to self, and that the example we should follow. Taking up the cross is dying to self; it is a daily thing to do. Every day I should die to self, I should die to my desires, my lusts, my will, and ask God to live in me, to show me His will, to walk in the Spirit, in union with the Spirit and not in the flesh, now this is what taking up your cross means. Even when we face bad circumstances, this is not the cross; this is only a way helping us to see the cross. The cross wasn't easy to Jesus, it cost Him His precious sinless life, and it won't be easy to us, it will cost us our lives. But dear friends, when you put your life away to Jesus, you will gain and save it to an eternal life. Jim Elliot said this:” He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”. Give your life to Jesus completely, on a daily basis, because you cannot keep it, to gain what you cannot lose, which is eternal life with the master.
Blessings
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Tony Francis is from the Middle East. He is grounded in the scriptures and has a licensed degree in biblical studies from MTI, the school of ministry, and a certificate in EPL (effective personal leadership) from LMI. He has authored many books and is the founder of Healed Nations Ministries (www.healednations.com). Tony mentors people in the prophetic and served as the prophetic leader of Patricia King's ministries. Tony is studying to be a mental health coach.
What Lies Ahead: A 4 Year Prophecy for the United States.
By Tony Francis.
I was in prayer, positioning myself before our Heavenly Father to hear from Him for the next four years for America. I submit this to you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
This is what I feel the Holy Spirit is revealing to me, as someone seasoned in the prophetic for decades:
I sense the Lord has highlighted the word ‘LIFE' for these four coming years. It feels as though America has been under an assignment of death for a while, with various areas like business, social justice, education, and freedom withering. I saw these areas being affected by the spirit of death.
However, I see in the Spirit the rain of life and refreshment pouring out on the land, watering it. I believe the first two years will be about healing and gaining momentum, which should be beautiful and exciting. Don't we get excited when we start seeing our bodies, relationships, and finances healing? We get our hopes up, but healing is not the end goal; it's a step towards something greater! So, the coming two years will be marked by healing and peace, and many people will join forces as one community to facilitate this.
In the last two years, I see America regaining its reputation and the name of the USA having a strong place on the list of global countries once again. A strong presence that influences the course of events!
Therefore, rejoice, and discern the times, seasons, and orders. As believers, let's avoid negative speech and curses. Do not despise the days of small beginnings! You will reach your goals, but there's a specific way, wisdom, and timing to it.
Never say nothing is happening. See the truth of the matter!
I am unbiased and do not engage in politics. My concern is the Kingdom of Jesus, for God so loved the world!
Blessings,
Tony Francis
Healed Nations CEO.
For more information visit www.healednations.com
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