Old Treasures on Tuesdays đź‘‘
Do you recognize these words? John the Beloved tells us that Jesus spoke them to Peter, prophesying the kind of death by which he would bring glory to God. We may have read them and not spent much time on them, figuring they only applied to Peter’s life. However, they really apply to each one of us. You and I probably won’t end up crucified upside down in a bloody martyr’s death. However, Jesus did call us to take up our cross every day… that is, if we really want to follow Him.
Following Him is what this Scripture is all about. He concluded His words to Peter with the call: “Follow me!” To follow Jesus is to allow His Holy Spirit to put to death the works of our sinful nature. Every. Single. Day. When we were “young” as the passage describes, we did whatever we wanted to. We were self-willed, self-ruled. When we were unseasoned. Immature. Not grown up yet. “When you are old” symbolizes the end product of a lifetime of true discipleship. A lifetime of death to self.
To get to that point, we stretch out our hands and allow Him to lead us through a thousand deaths to our own preferences. We “die daily.” We surrender to Him. Again and again and again and again and again…
Every time we die, we are raised up even further into His new life. Resurrection power surges through us in ever-increasingly glorious ways. We come more and more and more… alive! More and more and more full of peace, more and more and more full of joy, more and more and more full of Jesus Himself. Until we, too, can say,
“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” (Gal. 2:20a, NET).
*******************************************************
Have you tasted of the glorious life that infills and transforms you when you are crucified with Christ?
Feeding On Jesus 
Wow! That’s a new perspective! We are called to die daily. True maturity comes when we continuously take up our cross and die daily and follow Jesus. I will look more into this. Thank you 🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are truly welcome! I am joyfully blessed to know that these words encouraged you on your journey with Him! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, it means a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
a powerfully expressed TRUTH. thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, dear Faye!
LikeLike
Love this….”Every time we die, we are raised up even further into His new life. Resurrection power surges through us in ever-increasingly glorious ways. “
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you my sweet sister! Sending you love today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought and read your book, “Memoir of a Poured Out Life”. It was very encouraging to me. Thank you so much for writing it and sharing it with us. It also helps me see where you’re coming from when I read your blog.
This is very eye opening, probably the best description I’ve ever read of what it means to take up our cross daily and follow Him:
“allow Him to lead us through a thousand deaths to our own preferences”. Yes! Since life is not about us as individuals getting what we want, but rather, about the advancement of His Kingdom! “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”
LikeLike
Aw, this blesses me SO much, Ruth! I am truly honored that you invested the time and resource to read my story. Thank you for that with all my heart. I’m also so very glad this post blessed you! (My replies are extra slow currently because I am on a long ministry trip until the end of the year, but I always eagerly look forward to the opportunity to get on here and talk to my WordPress friends!). Much love to you today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will probably go back and re-read parts of your book again. I love your testimony of how God is working in power and doing great things in the Amazon. I’m also enjoying your Amazon Wednesdays on your blog.
May the Lord give you a Blessed trip and fill your heart with joy!
Much love to you, as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I receive those blessings and your encouragement very gratefully! I am SO glad you are enjoying them! ❤️🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person