March 9, 2010 The Cost 2

"And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. WOW, another beautiful morning here at the Southern Location of the North Pole (Mechanicsburg, Pa., just outside of Harrisburg). Again this morning there is not a cloud in the sky. Today, Tuesday, is Schools Day on the line, so I ask that you pray for all schools and all who enter the doors, and also those who work for the schools and might not go through the school doors. Bus drivers come to my mind. Often we think of schools just being teachers and students, but it goes far beyond that. Let's see, those who drive the buses, clean the floors and bathrooms, cook the food, serve the food, work in the office, keep attendance, classroom attendants that look after kids, most often in the rooms of our special needs kids. We also need to remember the ones who plowed the snow, mow the fields, line the fields and those who work plumbing and heating, and I could go on and on. Oh, how about the school boards and administrators? And today pray please for Jeffery Davis who was to start working at a school today but was in a motorcycle crash last night. Jeffery has painful injuries but not life threatening. Jeffery is our grandson. Please keep praying for Baby Ally and Baby Clara and also our ministry partner, Pamela Bower, as she meets with a surgeon today about her cancer... Please also keep praying for Ronald who has cancer.

Tomorrow will be special as I have received a nice note for Douglas Boyer who had a stroke. You will need to read this... I am saving it for tomorrow since it is Salvation Wednesday.

The Cost 2: Luke 14:27 - "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (NIV)

Luke 9:23 - Then He (Jesus) said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (NIV)

So what is Jesus really talking about here? Some might think we need to go and find some wood and build a cross like Jesus died on and we need to carry it around with us. No, that is not what it means at all. Take up our cross and follow Jesus means we must practice self-denial and complete dedication and willing obedience to Jesus (NIV foot note). So let me put it the way I think it means... We need to put Jesus ahead of all others and all other things. Does that mean we dare not have anything? No... I have seen people get upset if their pastor drove a Caddy or a Lincoln, even if they are older cars. Some people think if you are a Christian and you follow Jesus you must look poor or even be poor... No, not at all, for if you really follow Jesus and you work hard for Him and you share your blessings, He is going to pour out blessings upon you. Folks, I am a big guy, not the biggest, but if you think I am going to stuff myself into a Yugo, think again. Why should those who follow Jesus make Jesus look cheap?

What we really must do is love Jesus above all else and not let anything, anything, get between you and your Lord Jesus. An example might be for pastors who love to play golf (I never played that) and meet once a week and play, there is nothing wrong with that. They more than likely talk about Jesus while playing. Now if they are to be preaching on Sunday and we get one of those early spring days like we are having and the preacher calls off sick to play golf, that is another thing. Or if he would not give up a golf game to do a wedding or funeral. See where I am coming from? Jesus must come first. Speaking of golf, Moses, Jesus and an old man went to play golf... On the first tee Moses hit the ball and it headed right for a pond. He raised his club, divided the water and the ball went on the green. Jesus said is that the way you want to play... So Jesus teed off and His ball headed for the pond, and Jesus stretched out His arms and the ball rolled right across the water and onto the green. The old man came to the tee and said not a word, he was after all playing against some powerful people. So he hit the ball, it rolled six feet or so in front of the tee, and then a squirrel came running past and grabbed the ball and started to run away with it. All at once an Eagle came down and picked up the squirrel who had the ball in its mouth. The Eagle was flying high when out of no where came a bolt of lighting and it hit the Eagle, who dropped the squirrel who landed right on top of the flag on the green. The ball came out of the mouth of the squirrel and dropped into the cup for a hole in one... with that Jesus turned and said... Nice shot, Father...

And with that I will pray... Dear Lord, we know there is a cost to follow You and to be your disciple and we also know that it is also very, very rewarding. Most of the rewards will come to us later, but one thing we who follow you have learned, you provide our needs and lots of extras here on earth. We also found out that we can never out-give You. Help us to be a disciple and to give up all that might get between us. Help us to carry our own cross for You for we know so often in life You have carried it for us. Lord, bless and heal those on our prayer lists today. In the name of Jesus I give thanks for this computer and for the messages that You give to me. I also pray today as always in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ... Amen.

Now go forth, sharing your blessings and giving up all things that get between you and God.
Love ya, Pastor Dan.

Carry The Light Ministries
16 Dewalt Drive
Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17050
Phones Home 717 691 8200 Cell 717 991 0754
icarrythelight4God@msn.com