What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26 Nothing is worth losing our soul and spending eternity in hell. Yet, on a daily basis, we struggle to take up our cross. We often take it up but can be quick to lay it down again. Mark 8:34 says, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. The cross of Christ symbolizes suffering, death and shame. It means ridicule, rejection and self-denial. None of which is easy to do.

It’s Friday Jesus is praying Peter’s a sleeping Judas is betraying But Sunday’s comin’ It’s Friday Pilate’s struggling, the council is conspiring The crowd is vilifying, they don’t even know That Sunday’s comin’ It’s Friday The disciples are running like sheep without a shepherd Mary’s crying, Peter is denying But they don’t know That Sunday’s a comin’ It’s Friday The Romans beat my Jesus They robe Him with scarlet, they crown Him with thorns It’s Friday See Jesus wal

The Armor of God. We all know we are supposed to put on the whole armor of God daily, but what does our armor look like? What I mean by this is, does our armor look like we have been in battle, or is it just shiny because we spend so much time worried about it we don’t use it? The Bible tells us that: James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

The first step in becoming a contented person is to stop comparing ourselves to others. The problem is that comparing is America’s favorite past time! We naturally do it all the time. We walk into somebody’s house, and the first thing we do is make comparisons: “I like that floor! Look at that drapery! Wow, what a television!” We walk past somebody and think, “I like the way she did her hair; mine looks terrible today.” We are constantly comparing, and it keeps us frustrated.

“Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.” Ezekiel 36:36 ESV We all have areas of our life that are desolate. But God is rebuilding places in your life that you think are ruined. We only have to let Him do the tilling. In His loving way, He walks us through it you are not alone. He only cares that we trust Him. He knows ou