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\u201cAnd Jesus answered them, saying, \u201cThe hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.\u00a0 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone:\u00a0 but if it dies, it bears much fruit.\u00a0 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.\u201dIf anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. \u201cNow My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, \u2018Father, save Me from this hour\u2019 But for this purpose I came to this hour.<\/strong><\/em>\u201d John 12:23-27<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve all been positionally crucified with Christ, but those who hunger for Him participate in a deeper experience of this reality. Jesus lovingly takes their hand and leads them to the cross. Even though this is the last place anyone wants to go, it\u2019s the only way to partake of God\u2019s best for our lives.<\/p>\n The trip to the cross is not one you take with family and friends. It\u2019s a lonely journey with just you and Jesus. He strips away everyone and everything you\u2019ve depended on so that you\u2019ll learn to rely only on Him. While we\u2019re at the cross, He uncovers layer after layer of self-deception until we begin to see ourselves as He does. Soon our self-centeredness, inadequacy, and failures are laid bare.<\/p>\n The cross is a place of brokenness, but it\u2019s necessary because there\u2019s no other way we\u2019ll ever bear fruit. If we hang onto our lives and refuse to take this journey, we\u2019ll be like a grain of wheat that is never planted and never grows. But those who willingly die to themselves will produce an abundance of spiritual fruit. The only way Christ can live His life through us is if we\u2019ve allowed ourselves to be crucified.<\/p>\n God doesn\u2019t want you to be content with just your salvation. There\u2019s so much more He desires to give you and accomplish through you. Are you willing to take the road to the cross with Him? Yes, it\u2019s painful, but the rewards in this life and in eternity far outweigh any suffering you will experience.<\/p>\n by Dr. Charles Stanley<\/a> Are you ready to stop being content and to take the road to Christ to see what He really has instore for you? \u00a0Get back on track \u2013 ask the Holy Spirit to direct your life?<\/strong> Why not pray this simple prayer right now and by faith invite God to fill you with His Spirit:<\/p>\n Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank you that You have forgiven my sins through Christ\u2019s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you prayed this prayer, we at Thoughts about God<\/em> would love to hear about it! We could send you information to help you discover more about the Spirit lead life. To contact us, fill out the form below.<\/p>\n\n RELATED ARTICLES: \u00a0<\/strong>:<\/p>\n RECEIVE These Devotionals Daily by email: <\/strong>\u00a0FOLLOW THIS Link to Subscribe<\/a><\/p>\nWe all know that Jesus walked the road to Calvary, but did you know that believers also journey to the cross?<\/strong> <\/span><\/h3>\n
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