Am I a True Solder of The Cross?
Am I a soldier of the Cross-—
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
In the name, the precious name,
Of Him who died for me,
Through grace I’ll win the promised crown,
Whate’er my cross may be.
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Since I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord!
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
(By Isaac Watts 1674-1748)
As I awoke this morning, this song was running over and over in my mind and in my spirit!!
I had to look it up. Once again as I sat in my private worship time, I was weeping before a Holy God.
Everywhere we look it seems there is chaos and confusion. People’s minds are consumed by fear.
Many are trying to come in another door with a glittery, glamorous gospel!
it won’t work and it never has. We cannot bypass the cost of being a real Christian.
No, it’s not a clothesline religion of do’s and don’t!
“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20.
It is a heartfelt submission all the way to the foot of The Cross. When we truly give our all to Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit will guide and lead us in all truth.
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13.
Jesus says we must pick up our Cross and follow Him daily.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23.
Many turned back when the sayings got too hard. Will we?
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 6:66.
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8.
Our choice! Let’s make the right one and finish this race, to the other side.
We can and will make it through if we keep our eyes on the prize!
Glory here and now, and glory awaits us! Be encouraged this day.
God bless you all.
~ Joyce D. McGuire
My name is Joyce D. McGuire, called to work in and for the Kingdom of God! To lead we must try to follow Jesus Christ closely. That is my heart. I am a Chaplain in the prisons; prophetic intercessor by His grace, author, and a Mother in the Kingdom of God. To many I am simply Mama Joyce. Some favorite verses of mine are Matthew 11:28-30.
After praying yesterday for America I hit a blank, but return to this particular posting because today I woke up with the revelation that church in the America – in the UK and elsewhere – has lost the gospel of the cross. This is in line with the message of Galatians, although the particular issue now is clearly not one of believing that physical circumcision is necessary for salvation. Each one of us needs to examine ourselves to see that we are in the faith. The hope for America is returning into the gospel of the cross.
So true, Mark. When I read certain ones post, I weep. This is one as I read your words just now. The truth will stand when the world is on fire! God help us in our Nations! We have forsook the true and living God in large part!!
The only hope is surely to return the gospel of the Cross of Jesus Christ. The Remnant will hear your message, but many won’t. God bless you.
I thank you, Joyce, and do appreciate the fact that you reply to other people’s comments. You referred earlier to Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. One must not forget that these martyrs were persecuted for having an authentic understanding of the cross and by an institution that many still regard as being christian. The sad truth is that ” .. narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” [Matthew 7:14]
That is the truth. Heaven and home is looking pretty good to me right now! Still that is a straight and narrow way as youvsay, and wish more wanted come in the right door. Still as we portray Jesus Christ maybe it will make them hungry to want Him. The Lord is more real than the very air we breath. God bless you.
Amen to that!!!
God bless you.
The cross comes before the crown both for Christ and for any who would follow Him. The enticement of “dominionism” for many Charismatic believers is that it omits the cross.
Mark, Yes it does come before the crown! Sad, that any believer could even try to omit the cross! Blessings