Your Cross

Being a Christ follower is not easy, but it is a choice and a lifestyle. It can be lonely at times, as it requires making choices that set you apart from others. However, there are communities that can provide support. It is important to approach interactions with grace and understanding, and to remember that everyone is on their own unique journey. Living for Christ is challenging, but it brings fulfillment and meaning. It reshapes us from within and fills the voids created by the world. The devil will try to deceive you, but God's love is transforming and fulfilling. Trust in God's plan and lean on Him for strength. Your scars tell a story of resilience and grace. Choose to live in the light of His love and share your story with others. Hey there, it's Anna with God's Podcast and today's episode I would like to talk about what it's like to be a Christ follower. I'm going to tell you the ins and the outs of what it truly means to follow Christ. But before we start there, in this episode, let us pray. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I come to you through your Son, Jesus Christ, Father, and I ask that you bless each and every person listening. I continue to ask for you to open their ears, their hearts, and their minds to your words, your wisdom, your knowledge, your understanding, so that they can get exactly what they need in this season. Father, I want to glorify you and I want to thank you and praise you because you allow me to do this each and every time. And I would not be able to do it without you. But through you, you give me the strength and the courage to be your vessel and to use what you put upon my heart to share with others. And for that, I thank you. Father, I want to pray all of this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen. In today's episode, like I said, we are going to discuss what it's like to be a Christ follower. And I would like to start with this. It is not easy, but it is a choice and it is a lifestyle. It is not a fad. It is not something that is going to disappear and go away. It is something that stays in your life forever and helps you grow each and every day into the person that God truly made you to be. For God's purpose, God's kingdom, and God's glory. So let us begin with Matthew 16, verse 24. Then Jesus said to his disciples, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their crosses and follow me. And that is where we're going to begin, brothers and sisters, picking up those crosses and following Jesus. Living for Christ and following him can indeed be a lonely road at times. It often requires making choices that set you apart from the crowd. As you strive to uphold your values and beliefs, you may find that not everyone around you understands or supports this journey. This can lead to feelings of isolation, especially in a world where conformity is often celebrated. But brothers and sisters, it is important to remember that you are not truly alone. Many others share your commitment to faith, and there are communities both in person and online that can provide support and encouragement. Building these relationships with like-minded individuals can help combat feelings of loneliness and strength. And finding solace in prayer, scripture, and worship can bring comfort during challenging times. Listen, reflecting on the example of Jesus who faced rejection and loneliness can also provide perspective to you in this journey. Embracing your faith can lead to a deeper understanding of yourself and your purpose through God, making the journey worthwhile even when it feels solitary. God's word tells us not many will follow the narrow road to follow Christ. In fact, most will follow the wide road that is easier to follow, which is stated in Matthew 7, verse 13 through 14. God's word says, enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Reminding us that not everybody is going to be on this journey or follow that narrow road. And like I stated in my previous podcast episodes, I've touched on the topic of passionate Christ followers, those who are on fire for God, those who share their faith and experiences often. It can sometimes feel overwhelming when you encounter individuals who are deeply committed to their beliefs, often expressing them with great enthusiasm. However, it is essential to approach these interactions with grace and understanding. It is also a reminder to those that are on fire for God to never lose that fire. Revelations 3, verses 15 through 16 reminds us of this. We as Christ-like followers cannot be lukewarm followers who God will spit out of his mouth when our day comes where we stand right in front of him. Listen, brothers and sisters, whether you have picked up this cross and you call yourself a Christ follower, a Christian, or even a Bible thumper, remember, it is not about imposing your beliefs on others. It is rather genuinely sharing the transformative experiences that faith has brought into your life. Your enthusiasm should stem from a desire for others to experience the same joy and fulfillment that you have found through your relationship with God. In moments of encouraging others over excited displays of faith, it is important for you to remember to keep in mind that each person is on their own unique journey. And how we can do that by picking up this cross is giving grace, showing kindness, and extending understanding so that you can create a space for meaningful dialogue. This allows us to explore the shared experiences of faith without feeling judged or pressured. Picking up your cross is ultimately the goal to encourage an environment where conversation can flourish. By engaging with an open heart, you can find that there are stories that resonate with you and offer a new perspective on your own spiritual growth. Embrace these interactions as opportunities for growth and connection, as these opportunities may lead you to experiences that enrich your life in ways you never expected. So next time you encounter that Jesus lover, that Bible thumper, or you're just there bearing your cross, don't be so quick to shut them down. Take a moment to listen. You might just find that it's your opportunity to experience the gift that Jesus has in store for you, or you may be that gift in store for them. Brothers and sisters, I have mentioned this several times in previous podcasts, living for Christ is indeed a challenging journey. It often demands more than we think we can give. There are moments of exhaustion, doubt, and struggle. However, in the midst of these trials, there is a profound fulfillment that comes from this commitment. The love, the peace, and the purpose that Christ offers fills the empty voids that the world often creates. Just like we know, brothers and sisters, while the world may provide temporary satisfaction, it is through living for Christ that we find true contentment and meaning in every aspect of our lives. This journey can be challenging, brothers and sisters, yet it is so incredibly rewarding as it reshapes us from within. And this leads me to Matthew 16, verse 24, and John 15, verse 18. Brothers and sisters, listen, I know I am passionate about my faith. I am a devoted follower of Christ, and I am enthusiastic about sharing my beliefs. However, I strive to express my views gently and respectfully. My intention to share what God has blessed me with so that you can also experience it for yourself. We have all experienced various trials and tribulations in life. And brothers and sisters, I want to share this with you because I too faced and experienced various different trials and tribulations in my life. I often seek everything in the wrong people, the wrong places, and the wrong things when I was younger. I turned to drinking, smoking, and partying to try to fill the emptiness in my heart. But when I tell you God stepped in, God stepped in. He filled that void with unconditional love, strength, peace, acceptance, and forgiveness, reminding me that I belong to Him. And regardless of my thoughts, none of them reflected the truth that I am loved, wonderfully made, and my past does not define me. In Him, I am beautiful and strong and capable of overcoming any obstacle. And you too can find this fulfillment in Him. His love has transformed my life showing me the true fulfillment comes not from the fleeting pleasures of this world, but from a deep abiding relationship with Him. Each day I am reminded of my worth and purpose and I walk with a renewed sense of hope and joy. Listen, brothers and sisters, the devil will try to trick you into thinking you are not worthy. That you are not lovable, that you need to seek the earthly desires to fulfill your heart. And it is a lie. The devil wants you to fall, to fail, and to not succeed, or to ever feel that love that God gives you. He will whisper it to you over and over and I want to remind you, Satan is a liar because you are beautiful, you are strong, you are loved, you are forgiven. And if you pick up that cross and continue on this journey with Christ, you will be fulfilled and it will be all worth it in God's true promise of eternal life with our Lord and Savior. Listen, brothers and sisters, the one thing that I learned through the struggles, I learned to lean on His promise, to trust in His plan, and to find solace in His presence. The burdens I once carried are now lifted, replaced by a lightness that comes from knowing I am cherished and accepted just as I am. I am no longer defined by my past mistakes or the choices that led me astray. Instead, I am empowered to rise above to embrace a future filled with possibilities. And so are you, brothers and sisters. And isn't it great that we can turn to God's Word for every situation or season that we're in and He knows exactly what to tell us. Just like Proverbs 3 verses 5 through 6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your path straight. God will make your path straight. Only lean on Him, not your own understanding. Because in this journey, God has revealed and I have discovered that my scars tell a story of resilience and grace. They remind me of where I've been but not dedicated to where I am going. With each step forward, I am learning to love myself as He loves me, to forgive myself as He forgives me, and to extend the same love and grace to others. And so can you, brothers and sisters. Lean on God. And that is why I choose to live in the light of His love, to share my story with those who feel lost, and to encourage them to seek the same healing that I found. Together, brothers and sisters, we can rise from the ashes of our pasts. Empowered by the truth that is in God, we are whole. We are enough and we are truly free. So the next time you encounter someone who is passionate about their faith, perhaps refrain to them as a Bible thumper or a crazy Christian, remembering not to judge them. Remember you do not know the scars that they bear or what they've been through, but instead you never know one day you might find yourself in their shoes. God's transformative power can have changed your heart and life, opening your eyes to His truth and leading you to live for Him. So embrace the possibility of change and understanding because the Bible thumper could be you next, brothers and sisters. You could be the one set on fire and not lukewarm. For the day that comes where you stand before God, He tells you, I do know you, my child. Come into my kingdom. I hope you enjoyed today's episode and that you share it with someone else, someone in need because we all need God each and every day. And I will continue to say that we cannot do this life without Him. We can be the light, the beacon for someone else. So share today's episode. Do not be afraid to share God's word. And remember, brothers and sisters, keep bibling, keep seeking God and be that Christ follower who picks up your cross and is on fire for God, brothers and sisters. So until next time, have a wonderful, blessed week. And I just want to say thank you. Thank you for coming each and every week and supporting God's word because we all need Him. So thank you. And I love each and every one of you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Father, I come before you today through your Son, Jesus Christ. I just want to say thank you. Thank you for allowing me to share your word. Thank you for allowing me to pick up that cross. Father and I ask that you continue to walk with them in this season and help them pick up that cross so that you can fulfill them in their hearts, so that you can show them their worth, so you can show them how strong they are, so you can show them how you love them. Father, you are a God of grace, a God of mercy, and you continue to forgive us each and every day. Father, we just want to say thank you and we want to glorify you and praise you. And we pray all of this in Jesus' name, amen.