1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Crosswalk devotional. We are glad to have 3 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 2: you listening with us. Today's topic is about crucifying the 4 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:21,639 Speaker 2: flesh and what does that really mean. We'll return with 5 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:38,239 Speaker 2: the devotional after brief message from our sponsors. What does 6 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 2: crucifying the flash really mean? Written and read by Hannah Benson. 7 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 2: For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. 8 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,159 Speaker 2: But if by the spirit you put to death the 9 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:50,800 Speaker 2: deeds of the. 10 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: Body, you will live. Romans eight thirteen, ESB. 11 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:55,960 Speaker 2: Hmm. 12 00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: What a way to start a devotional. 13 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 2: Our devotionals to be uplifting and encouraging. Yes, aren't they 14 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:05,320 Speaker 2: also supposed to be challenging? 15 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:06,080 Speaker 1: Yes? 16 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 2: What does this verse mean? Jesus tells us in the 17 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 2: Gospels to take up our cross and follow him Matthew 18 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 2: sixteen twenty four, Mark eight thirty four, Luke nine twenty three. 19 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 1: But what does that actually mean? Most of us don't. 20 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 2: Have a physical cross we're called to bear. Jesus's cross 21 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:29,839 Speaker 2: was by no means easy for him to carry, even 22 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 2: though he is the son of God. He had to 23 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:35,840 Speaker 2: humble himself even to the point of death. Death by 24 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 2: cross was not only humiliating, but the most excruciating death 25 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:44,479 Speaker 2: imaginable in those days, Matthew twenty six thirty nine es V. Says, 26 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 2: and going a little farther, he fell on his face 27 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 2: and prayed, saying, my Father, if it be possible, let 28 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 2: this cup pass for me. Nevertheless, not as I will, 29 00:01:56,480 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 2: but as you will. Yes, Jesus wanted to say humanity, 30 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 2: and was willing to endure death on a cross if 31 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 2: it was the only way. But guess so many shows 32 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 2: us that as a man, if there had been any 33 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 2: other way to accomplish the mission without the agony of 34 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 2: the cross, he would have taken it. He chose the 35 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:16,799 Speaker 2: nails because there was no other way to save us. 36 00:02:17,639 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 2: Matthew writes that his soul was very sorrowful, even to death. 37 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 1: Matthew twenty six thirty eight. 38 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 2: B Luke twenty two forty three through forty four ESV. 39 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 2: Includes that as he prayed, and there appeared to him 40 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 2: an angel from heaven is strengthening him, and being in agony, 41 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:36,960 Speaker 2: he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great 42 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 2: drops of blood falling down to the ground. Have you 43 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 2: ever known anyone who has been so stressed or in 44 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 2: such great agony that they sweat blood. We can't even 45 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 2: begin to imagine how much Jesus loves us to not 46 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 2: only die for us, but to endure the most unimaginable 47 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 2: death possible. If he bore the cross for us, can 48 00:02:57,320 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 2: we not bear ours if he asks us? 49 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 1: But that doesn't mean. 50 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 2: We are called to carry a literal cross. So what 51 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 2: does it mean to carry our cross each day and 52 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 2: to put to death the deeds of the body starts 53 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:13,520 Speaker 2: with honesty with ourselves and with God. Like Jesus in 54 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,399 Speaker 2: the Garden of Gsemite, It's okay to admit we wish 55 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:19,799 Speaker 2: there was another way, like David and many of the psalms. 56 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 2: Psalm thirteen is a great example of this. It's okay 57 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 2: to tell God we're struggling with anger towards him. Second, 58 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 2: we need to be willing to surrender, as Jesus prayed, 59 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 2: my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass 60 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:35,680 Speaker 2: for me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. 61 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 2: Matthew twenty six thirty nine b. Job is another example. 62 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: He had to surrender everything he didn't understand his desire 63 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 2: for answers and recognize that God was in complete control. 64 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 2: Job forty two two through three what about Paul. He 65 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 2: begs God to remove the thorn from his flesh, but 66 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 2: God responded, my grace is sufficient for you, for my 67 00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:01,280 Speaker 2: power is made perfect in weakness second Quintthians twelve nine. 68 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 2: Just as the Angel came to strength in Jesus, we 69 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 2: must rely on God's strength to help us. We cannot 70 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: rely on our own strength to carry us through. We 71 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 2: may want to be angry, and maybe we even think 72 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 2: we have a good reason for it. Our flesh will 73 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 2: tell us we have a right to hold grudges, that 74 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 2: we deserve what we want, and that we need to 75 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 2: be the ones in control. Sound familiar, News flash. We 76 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 2: were never meant to write the stories of our lives. 77 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 2: We may think we want to hold the pen, but 78 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:32,599 Speaker 2: that is no way to live. Jesus came that we 79 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 2: may have life, and have it abundantly John ten ten. 80 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 2: Abundant life comes through death and surrender, he tells us 81 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 2: in Matthew sixteen twenty five ESB. 82 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 1: Then Jesus told his. 83 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 2: Disciples, if anyone would come after me, let him deny 84 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,719 Speaker 2: himself and take up his cross and follow me. For 85 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:54,039 Speaker 2: whoever would save his life will lose it. But whoever 86 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:58,440 Speaker 2: loses his life for my sake will find it. Jesus 87 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 2: wasn't just talking about physical t here. As believers, we 88 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,919 Speaker 2: need to die daily to our wants, desires, even the 89 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 2: things that may be good. Anything we desire more than 90 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 2: God needs to be put ins proper place in our lives, 91 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 2: intersecting faith and life. Sometimes dying to ourselves might mean 92 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:19,040 Speaker 2: sacrificing the very thing we hold dear, what we clench 93 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 2: in our fists and. 94 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:22,480 Speaker 1: Refuse to yield. You know what I'm talking about. 95 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 2: There have been seasons in my life where the Lord 96 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 2: allows something I'd considered good to be removed from my life. 97 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: Sometimes it's shocking. 98 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 2: It hurts. Okay, let me rephrase that. Usually it always hurts. 99 00:05:37,279 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 2: We were never meant to hold the pen or be 100 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:42,560 Speaker 2: the director of our story. Holy God can do that 101 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 2: and psal, I'm eighty one to ten ESV. God tells 102 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 2: the Israelites, I am the Lord, your God who brought 103 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 2: you about of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth 104 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 2: wide and I will fill it. If we want to 105 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 2: experience the abundant life Jesus has for us, then we 106 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:01,559 Speaker 2: need to quote unquote open our mouths. If we cling 107 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 2: to the past and what we think we want, then 108 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 2: we don't have hearts open to what the Lord has planned. 109 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:10,840 Speaker 2: Don't mistake the word abundant for easy or a life 110 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:15,479 Speaker 2: filled with material goods. The abundance Jesus promises isn't found 111 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 2: in our circumstances. If it were, Paul wouldn't be able 112 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:22,000 Speaker 2: to write about overflowing joy while sitting in prison. While 113 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:25,880 Speaker 2: sometimes God does bless us circumstantially, the abundant life he 114 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 2: promises us is found in his presence as we. 115 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 1: Draw near to him. 116 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:33,159 Speaker 2: When God gently depries our fingers open, it is not 117 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 2: to leave us empty handed. It's to make room for 118 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,720 Speaker 2: His peace, which is our portion, and His presence, which 119 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 2: fills us to overflowing. We need to die to ourselves 120 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:46,040 Speaker 2: each and every day. Romans eight thirteen tells us that 121 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 2: if we put these things to death, we will live, 122 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 2: not merely survive, but truly live. Today, if you're clenching 123 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 2: your fist around something that God is asking you to yield, 124 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 2: be honest, tell him you don't want to let go, 125 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 2: Tell him it hurts, and then by his strength, let 126 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:07,440 Speaker 2: it go. Whatever he asks you to surrender will pale 127 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 2: in comparison to the abundant life he desires to give you. 128 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 2: Pray with me, Dear Father, I'll be honest. I'm tired 129 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 2: of trying to hold the pen. I admit that I've 130 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:23,760 Speaker 2: been clenching my fists around my plans, my timing, and 131 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 2: my good things, afraid to let go. Thank you for 132 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 2: the unimaginable way you love me, and for your death 133 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 2: on the cross so I may live. 134 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 1: Please give me the strength. 135 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 2: I don't have on my own to put myself will 136 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:36,679 Speaker 2: to death. 137 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: Today I open my hands and my heart to you. 138 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:43,160 Speaker 1: Fill the empty spaces with your peace. 139 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 2: And help me to trust your presence is my greatest good. 140 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 1: In Jesus's name. Amen. 141 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 3: Thanks for listening to today's devotional. 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