Picking it up.........

Good morning everyone. This Saturday, April 7th is the third annual Crusaders for Christ! Last year we had over 400 people join us from 19 different churches. The Crusade is a 14.1 mile walk across Roane county carrying a large wooden cross. You may be asking yourself why are we doing this????? We are trying to bring the true focus of Easter to the cross and what Jesus Christ did on it for us. We get so caught up in the Easter bunny sometimes that we forget what Easter is truly about. The tomb being empty after a horrific crucifiction. It was just amazing last year and we are expecting appox. 600 people this year. That is just amazing in itself. God deserves all the credit and honor. Can you do me a favor today? I want us to think about Jesus's footsteps. Let's dig into the good stuff and see what it tells us........

Bible Verse: 1 John 2:6 "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked."

What does it mean to walk as He walked? Do we have to find 12 disciples and go out trying to perform miracles? Do we have to be crucified? Do we have to bear all that Jesus did for us? I don't think He expects that from us. But, what we can do is mirror Him and His actions. First, we must obey His teachings and apply them to our lives. We must follow His example of love and compassion. We must also have a love to serve others. There is a book called "In His Steps" by Charles M. Sheldon. The main message of this book is compelling us to remember who we belong to, to remember to walk the Christian walk, and to realize that Christ is in us.

Here is the thing, if you are a born again Christian, then strive to walk as He did. Let us take up our cross and walk in His steps. Let's pick up that cross this Saturday. Let's take one step at a time in the name of Christ. Let us be uplifting to one another. Let us show the love of Jesus to all we encounter. Let us let our light shine so bright that many from far away can see Jesus. Let us be the hand of God reaching out to others here in Roane County, Tennessee or where ever you live. Let us carry our cross 14.1 miles with courage and determination. Let us be happy to carry our cross. Let us be excited to just be able to carry the cross or just to be a part of such a movement. I get goose bumps every time I talk to someone about carrying the cross. Guy's, God is so good and amazing in all He does. I ask you today if you are reading this devotion to please say a prayer for the Crusade and all involved in it. Pray for safety of all who are walking and that seeds will be planted everywhere. Imagine the conversations as people drive by. Pray that our light shines so bright for many to see that we have a risen Savior and that He died for them also! Thank you in advance for your prayers and if your not busy come join us tomorrow at 8:30 am at Paradise Baptist in Rockwood! Have a great day and God bless!