"If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone
else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--
yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:26
This morning, I made sure that I went to the recreation yard...
else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--
yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:26
This morning, I made sure that I went to the recreation yard...
I needed to feel the cool air on my skin and the rays of the sun on my face. For while God always gives me peace and joy in my heart, my spirit has been heavy because of some personal issues.
Jesus said that a true disciple must bear his own cross (Luke 14:27). Sometimes this "cross" involves the death of my own will so that God may accomplish His will in my life. And even now I feel its crushing weight.
And I am discovering, too, that many times, bearing this cross will mean having to go against the grain, to go against what other people may want and expect from me.
Having to take up my own cross may result in rejection and misunderstanding, hurt and broken relationships, and even having to continue this journey on my own.
The apostle Paul had suffered abandonment by others many times, even by those who were among his closest companions. Yet he was never abandoned by the Lord. For the Lord said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
So when I got to the yard, I was happy to find my Christian brothers Al and Edwin there, too. Al is an "elder" in our fellowship. Edwin is the inmate pastor who serves under our chaplain. Edwin is a God-appointed leader of our flock.
It was so refreshing to be around these Spirit-filled men for 1 ½ hours until our recreation time was over. Both of them are also my prayer and accountability partners. Like me, they're also doing "life" sentences.
I was able to get some good spiritual advice and counsel. We ended our time together in prayer, and then we returned to our respective cellblocks. But while we were together, the Lord used them to succor me and help me to get out of a spiritual rut.
I still have a painful situation to deal with, but getting some godly encouragement helped to put everything into the right perspective. God blessed me today!
D.B.
Jesus said that a true disciple must bear his own cross (Luke 14:27). Sometimes this "cross" involves the death of my own will so that God may accomplish His will in my life. And even now I feel its crushing weight.
And I am discovering, too, that many times, bearing this cross will mean having to go against the grain, to go against what other people may want and expect from me.
Having to take up my own cross may result in rejection and misunderstanding, hurt and broken relationships, and even having to continue this journey on my own.
The apostle Paul had suffered abandonment by others many times, even by those who were among his closest companions. Yet he was never abandoned by the Lord. For the Lord said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
So when I got to the yard, I was happy to find my Christian brothers Al and Edwin there, too. Al is an "elder" in our fellowship. Edwin is the inmate pastor who serves under our chaplain. Edwin is a God-appointed leader of our flock.
It was so refreshing to be around these Spirit-filled men for 1 ½ hours until our recreation time was over. Both of them are also my prayer and accountability partners. Like me, they're also doing "life" sentences.
I was able to get some good spiritual advice and counsel. We ended our time together in prayer, and then we returned to our respective cellblocks. But while we were together, the Lord used them to succor me and help me to get out of a spiritual rut.
I still have a painful situation to deal with, but getting some godly encouragement helped to put everything into the right perspective. God blessed me today!
D.B.