One Hand Free

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.1

 

A friend shared a revelation that his father shared with him.  It was so vivid that I couldn’t get the image out of my brain if I wanted to.  He said, “You can nail your own feet to the cross and you can nail one hand to the cross but you need someone else to nail the last hand.”  Even though I’m told to take up my cross daily, I’m not willing to die on it.  I naturally resist anyone who wants to nail me to the cross.  My pride won’t let me die, I like the attention of being a martyr:

One of the problems with having one hand loose – you can still wave and draw attention to yourself.

 

It sure put a visual on my struggle.  Boy did I believe a lie that keeping the old man alive was a good idea – what is the blessing to others if I just hang there?  Doesn’t partial obedience bring pain and suffering without the reward?  In my pride I’ve been blinded to what is hindering me while crying out to God for more of Him.  Like the captain of a boat with the anchor out running at full throttle wondering why it doesn’t move, I’ve been crying out for more power.

Blinded by pride saved by grace.  Oh His mercy expressed through love has forever changed me.  I’m leaving my rebellion and stubbornness to love like He loves.  Forever changed by love.

My Prayer: God, please forgive me for exalting myself and multiplying my pride.  Please forgive me for pretending, having the form of Godliness and denying the power.2 Please give me the grace to allow others to nail me to the cross with out reproach like Your son Jesus.3  4 Please let the overflow of my heart be a blessing, like Stephen’s, to those who would harm me.5

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.6

07.10.11

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dale

A man, husband and father, struggling to be a blessing in the lives of others.

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