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March 15, 2026
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. New King James Version
The Cross We Carry Shapes Who We Become
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. New Living Translation
Romans 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. New Living Translation
We Must Pick Up the Cross We Didn’t Choose
Mark 15:21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) New Living Translation
We Must Pick Up the Cross That Comes Because of the Gospel
Philippians 1:29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. New Living Translation
Mark 4:16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. New International Version
2 Corinthians 12:8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. New Living Translation
2 Corinthians 12:10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. New Living Translation
We Must Pick Up the Cross Within Us
This is when the cross goes from being a decoration to bringing transformation!
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves (NLT: give up your own way) and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” New International Version
1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. New International Version
Picking up our cross within can be forgiving when we feel like we want revenge. (Matthew 18:21-35)
Picking up our cross within can be saying yes to our purpose and giving God some of our time as a volunteer when we feel we need all of our time. (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Picking up our cross within can be saying yes to generosity and supporting our local church, missions, and ministries when we rather use the money just on ourselves. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Picking up our cross within can be saying no to anything the Bible calls sin (premarital sex, drunkenness, gossip, hate, etc.), laying it down and saying yes to Jesus’ way while our flesh cries out. (Galatians 5:16-25)