THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
A child came home from Sunday School and told his mother that he had learned a new song about a cross-eyed bear named "Gladly."
It took his mother a while before she realized that the hymn was really "Gladly The Cross I'd Bear."
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________SCRIPTURE______________________________________________________________
Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
KJV
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_______THOUGHT________________________________________________________________
If we bear the cross of Christ, we'll bear the image of Christ.
As, Christians we should all be a likeness of our Lord and Savior. There are many books written of Him, but we should be a living example.
The manner of our likeness to Christ is determined by whether we are "with" Him. Peter and John were bold to preach the gospel because they had first been "with" Christ. They had experienced Him. Christians are bold to share their testimony of what Christ IS in their lives when they experience Him daily in prayer and Bible study.
In order to imitate Christ fully, we must expend the time to be "with" Him in prayer and Bible study; and then place in practice the principles we learn. That is bearing the cross of Christ. He spent time with His heavenly Father in order to be LIKE Him.
Learn of His loving nature, then imitate it.
Learn of His truth-speaking, then imitate it.
Learn of His holiness, then imitate it.
Learn of His patience, then imitate it.
Learn of His forgiveness, then imitate it.
If you would be "like" Christ, then expend the time to first be "with" Christ.
Bear the cross, then you'll bear the image.
Love ya,
Bruce