Mark 9 v 42 - 50 (NLT) says, "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It's better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out. For everyone will be tested with fire. Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavour, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other."

Firstly, Jesus said this. So it's not my words, it is the words of God. So listen up. If you sin - which everyone does - it says to cut off the part of the body causing you to sin. This, in my opinion, does not mean physically cutting it off, in most cases. It means to stop thinking the way you are thinking, and to actively and knowingly stop what you are doing that is wrong. This means effort, yes, and it's not always easy. You don't, after all, get tempted by things you hate - like mushrooms in Keith's case! He will not eat them even if they are put in front of him for only him to eat. So you are tempted by earthly things you like. Galatians explains this, too. I encourage you to have a read.

The first verse of the passage above is interesting. It is talking about not leading others into sin. If you are struggling with something, you are not meant to walk alone. You are not designed to. Everyone needs support and friendship, so yes, do tell friends about your troubles. But be careful you do not lead them to sin, too. By using the image of "little ones" it also suggests that people younger than you, or maybe those you have the opportunity to teach or watch grow in the Spirit, can be influenced greatly by your choice of words. Watch your words. Be kind to those around you, and when you are speaking about God do not give them false information. It also suggests that although the "little one" is trusting in God, their trust is so much in you instead by the end if you cause them to sin. So, make sure every relationship you have is three-way. You, them and God.

Salt makes things taste salty, right? Clue in the name. But if it's not salty you do not use it on food. Because it isn't needed. Are you needed? Be like salt, let God use you in your every day life, not just your "spiritual life" - they are the same thing. Let your life be filled with God's little missions and purposes for you, keep listening to what He wants to say to you, for yourself and others, what He wants you to do, who He wants you to talk to, etc. There is more going on than you think. If you lose the saltiness in your life, how do you regain it? Do not lose your flavour, your passion for God. If you say yes to God, He has already stretched out His arms and said yes to you. Are you ready? Say yes today, and go capture the world for Jesus!

Take Up Your Cross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?vCkBh5ObVyww&feature=related

Hillsong - Devotion

Great song, please listen to it. The words, not just the music.

Anyway, it does relate to my entry for today. Which is talking about trying to save your own life. To put it bluntly: you can't.

Matthew 16:24-26 (Amplified) says:

'Then Jesus said to His disciples, if anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to my example in living and, if need be, in dying also].
For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life [his blessed life in the Kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] life [in the Kingdom of God]?" '

Mark 8:34-36 (NLT) says:

'Then, calling the crowd to join His disciples, He said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" '

Luke 9:23-27 (MSG - I know this isn't the most literal translation but I love the way this is phrased. If you want other translations, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/) says:

'Then He told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You are not in the driver's seat - I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrased with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all His splendour in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realise, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the Kingdom of God" '

See? If you try to save your own life, you will lose it. You will lose yourself and get caught up in it. Whether this for you means earning lots of money to provide a better life for yourself, or overcoming depression. You cannot do it by yourself. You need to turn towards God, turn towards the Good News, the Word. This involves praying, reading the Bible, worship and spending time listening to what God has to say about your life. He knows everything about you; you cannot hide anything from Him. And don't worry, He is not ashamed of you. He is not angry with you. In fact, He loves you unconditionally and accepts you no matter what has happened. So, stop striving for your own life, and learn to trust God so much that you would rather lose your life than deny Christ. Then you will gain eternal life. This means having faith, believing the truth. You probably won't die because of your beliefs, who knows, but the faith still needs to be there. God knows your thoughts, too. You need to let go of yourself, stop being so caught up, and focus on the eternity that is set in your heart. If you are searching for more in life, look to Jesus. I can promise you that you will find what you are looking for. Because it's not a promise from me, it's a promise from God. Jesus makes 436 promises, and he has kept every single one of them. The probability that one average person will keep just 8 of these 436 promises is 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. A lot of zero's, huh? Well, put it like this: it is more likely that you will win the lottery every week for the rest of your life. But remember, Jesus is not an average person. He is so much more. He will never let you down, never fail you or leave you, never stop loving you. The promise He made you when He died for you is proof. Now it's your turn to decide. Do you want to lose your life or gain it? Take up your cross.