Mark 8:34
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

When Jesus died on the cross, it symbolized a new meaning. Instead of painful human death it represented symbol of grace, love and forgiveness.

In Mark 8:34, Jesus says to take up your cross, meaning to deny your own interests that are worldly and unpleasing to God and pursue and follow Jesus who represents love, grace and mercy.

Instead of seeking pleasure and riches of this world, seek the things that pleases Him. Love and serve others as Jesus did. Follow Him wholeheartedly and He will show you His ways.

Deny your own ways and Follow His ways.

Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The depth of God’s love is unfathomable. He wants everyone to experience deep, unshakeable confidence in His love and feel secure that no one can take that away from them.

Nothing can separate us from His love towards us. Death, life, angels, rulers, things present, things to come, powers, height, depth, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from God’s love.

His love is unconditional through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. When Christ died for us, He secured His people in life and in death. Even after we die, we can still experience His deep love for us. God’s love is eternal.

Always remember that nothing can separate you from the love of God.

Job 23:11
My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.

When things were going wrong, Job held on to God and he didn’t turn aside nor fall into these worldly distractions, because he knew God was always faithful and that He would never turn him down.

Sometimes the trails and distractions that we face may not be like those of Job, but we all encounter them at some point of life. During those times, we need to be steadfast and walk in faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Instead of reasoning and trying to figure out the solution, trust in God and He will work it out for good. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Job kept on keeping on, even during the hard times he endured and came forth as Gold. Job 23:10 says, When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Let us all press on with the enduring faith and come forth as Gold.