The Passion of Christ - Part 3

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. Mark 15:21

This morning a loving wife lost her husband to cancer. He left behind two young boys and a grieving widow. The cancer took him in less than six weeks. An unexpected loss, her best friend gone. She is a widow, left to raise her two young boys, alone.

Simon, the father of two sons Alexander and Rufus, lived in Cyrene, an ancient Greek colony located in the eastern portion of modern day Libya. The bible doesn’t say why Simon was in Jerusalem the day Jesus was to be crucified. He was probably there to do business or perhaps he was on vacation with his family. Who really knows. He was just “passing by,” when God called him. “Hey Simon,” He said through the Roman guard, “I have a job for you. Simon, I have a burden for you to carry. I need to you to serve me and my kingdom.”

Simon didn’t expect when he approached the gates of the Jerusalem that morning he would find himself suddenly under the weight of the cross of Jesus and in the midst of the noise and commotion that must have surrounded the march toward Golgatha. Six weeks ago, the "loving wife" never thought she would soon be a widow and a single mother. Yet in a blink of an eye, she is alone wondering what just happened. Much like Simon she must have thought, why me? Why did God give me this burden? I’m not ready, I cannot possibly do this. I don’t want to carry this load?

When we and desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, not only our lives but our responsibilities change forever. We are no longer our own master; if we want to grow closer to God we must bear what he asks us to carry. We must serve where and when he calls us. Usually, he calls us to places outside of our comfort zones, at inconvenient times, and sometimes with pain at some level.

When we carry Jesus’ cross, we find ourselves in the midst of turmoil and often scared. But, when he asks,"Will you do this for me?" God does not leave us alone. No, you will find Him right next to you. He loves his children and wants us to gain experience and grow strong through the difficulties he asks us to endure.

The bible doesn’t reveal what happened to Simon after he carried the cross. I suppose it doesn’t matter in the context of the Word of God. But, I know after that day, Simon’s life was never the same because he answered God’s call.

My prayer. Father, I thank you that you give us opportunities to grow closer to you. I know they are not always pleasant experiences but I am so grateful, that when we must endure them, You are alongside us holding our hand. I pray for the family of your fallen saint. I thank you Lord that I had the pleasure to have known him and that you called me to the hospital this morning so that I could meet his widow and be a part of your miracle in her life. I pray for protection and peace to be upon mother and sons today as they bear up under the weight of their crosses. I thank you that you will never leave us nor forsake us Father. I love you Lord and I pray in earnest in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen!

You Know Me, Father!

“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.” Psalm, 139:1

I have to confess that I have been preoccupied this year with wedding plans. My daughter is getting married and I have been obsessed with how much things cost. It is frustrating to me because I am not very trusting when it comes to money and frankly every time a dollar is spent I cringe because I am exposed and I don’t know how I will make enough to afford paying the monthly bills and the wedding on top of it. I know this sounds normal to most of you but to me this is a huge deal and even though God is working in this wedding making everything smooth and providing the resources, I don’t trust God enough to stop worrying.

Am I being unreasonable here or am I just human? I find comfort in Psalm 139, because when I read it I know God knows exactly how I will react to every expenditure and new requirement even before I hear of it. He knows that I don’t trust Him and he knows how much monetary issues worry me, and He loves me just the same! I wouldn’t love me but I am thankful He does!

My prayer. Father, thank you that your word is true. Thank you that you know us better than we know ourselves and that you love us when we are not very lovable. I pray Father for your peace and for an expansion of my trust in you in this difficult financial time. I thank you that you would provide me with the resources to give my daughter the kind of wedding that she wants. I thank you that my wife and I are on the same page as we plan the budget and carry out the spending and planning for this event. Above all Lord, thank you that my daughter and her fiancée are happy and that they are drawing closer to you as they open the next chapter of their lives together. Father use me to be a godly influence on Chuck and Dawn and continue to work out all of our salvation, one day at a time as we walk more closely with you. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

Consider it Pure Joy

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work in you so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4


We often think because we are saved and walking with the Lord that we will live prosperous, carefree lives because we diligently pray and seek the Lord and ask him to protect us. Because of this protection we won't have illness, accidents, and hard times. That is not the case. While God does hear every prayer, the full armor of God, does not guarantee prevention of calamity, it assures us that he will be this us while we are in difficult circumstances.


Why does God do this to us? When we gave our lives to Christ, we did it for his service. Our lives are no longer our own. Just as a runner needs to run thousands of miles to prepare for a marathon, so followers of Christ must experience difficulties in order to build their trust in the Lord. God does not want to get us out of difficult situations he wants to get us through them. He is using trials in our lives so that we are better prepared to serve him and be a testimony to the non-believer whose life will cross our path in the future. Perseverance makes us "mature and complete, not lacking anything."

"Consider it pure joy" the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation. Through your prayer in hard times you will be drawing closer to God; relying on Him for your answers and your strength. You will be waiting patiently on him as you move through a dry season knowing that he is preparing you for another good work that will be more awesome than the one before.

Our prayer. Lord, in the name of Jesus, give us the patience to wait on you through our trials. Draw us near to you in humility as we pass through the valley. Just as an athlete endures the pain of training as he prepares himself for competition, strengthen our faith and trust in you as you bring us through the inevitable trials of our daily lives. Thank you Lord for your unfailing love as you allow perseverance to finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen!