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Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple (Jesus in Luke 14:27)

We come to our Savior Jesus through the cross, receiving redemption through His sacrifice on the cross, and access to the Father through Him. The cross and resurrection are the essential message of our faith. Without the cross we would be lost forever. So we come to the cross, get saved - and then move on, right? We don't ever think of or talk about or even hear a sermon on the cross ever again, now that we are saved and go to heaven. After all, He saved us to give us a happy life and prosperity and only good things ever after, right?

Our joy-ride will lead to a crash if we came into His kingdom with those false expectations. We will either leave Him, or accuse Him, or question Him, or be confused at best. We have not preached the WHOLE gospel to people, and given them a cheap ticket to heaven that had no real value.

Jesus and the writers of the New Testament had lots to say about suffering and dying to self. When have you last heard a sermon on that? Jesus said you cannot be His disciple if you don't carry your cross. Wow! Those are tough words! "cannot be"? Are you His disciple? Are you carrying your cross? Or have you put it down? Or are you chopping it shorter to make it lighter? Or are you carrying it complaining and whining and accusing Him of making it too heavy?

What is a the cross? It's an instrument of torture and execution. Jesus told us to "deny ourselves"... If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mt 16:24; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23). That means dying; die to self. As my Bible school professor would say - if you're still whining, you're not dead yet. Dead people don't speak.

When we are dead to self, He can fully manifest Himself through us. All we are are jars of clay - but HE is the amazing treasure inside of us! (2.Cor 4:7).

So are trials, tribulations, suffering, bad? NO! They are tools in the hand of our loving Father and Master Potter. Suffering produces perseverance and character in us (see Rom 5:3-4). Is that why we see so little character and perseverance in the body of Christ, because we have rejected the necessity of suffering?

In the beatitudes Jesus tells us that we are BLESSED when we are insulted, persecuted, and falsely accused (Mt 5:11; see also 1.Pe 4:14). He also tells us to REJOICE and be GLAD and GIVE THANKS in ALL circumstances! Is that the way you reacted last time?

These past 16 months I've been very blessed because I've gone through betrayal, false accusations, loss, abandonment, rejection, sickness, lack, and many other things, on a new level of intensity. He has counted me worthy to share in His sufferings, and I also share in His glory (Rom 8:17).

When these things come at us frome every side, all we can do is throw ourselves into the loving arms of our heavenly Father. When our eyes are on Him, those earthly things lose all their power and seem so small in comparison. In His presence, His glory, is the fullness of joy - joy that chases away all negative thoughts or discouragement. As we take His hand, we are safe and able to walk forward with Him, whatever the circumstances around us.

So next time a trial comes, rejoice and thank God for His presence with you. As you suffer, lift your eyes to Him, come into His embrace, and share also in the glory. Then, as you return your eyes to earth, you will go forward with renewed hope and perseverance and a character that resembles Christ, able to help others as you've been helped (see 2.Cor 1). You are truly blessed!

This is the essence of what I preached in Topeka last Sunday. You can watch the service online by clicking here. You can also read the blog about what God did in the service by clicking here.

RESTORING MY HEALTH IN WICHITA

I heard how Todd Bentley, Heidi Baker, then Rolland Baker had their physical breakdowns from running fullspeed for years. In November I had the shingles which was a wake-up call for me. How long until my body would break down all the way? I've now been in Mali for five and a half years.

Through amazing circumstances God directed my steps to the HANSA CENTER in Wichita where I've been the last three days. The founder and director is a Christian doctor who's received much knowledge and wisdom from the Lord. He is unconventional, but has amazing success stories. He diagnosed me with chronic fatigue, and was amazed that I was able to do all I do when he looked at my test results. My body was definitely on the way to breakdown. I now have several hours of treatments a day for 6 days, which is really less than what they should do. Please pray for my health to be restored, so that God's work in Mali can continue. Pray also for workers to be sent into the harvest field of Mali.

If you'd like to read more details about my time at the HANSA CENTER, check out my blog starting Monday here.

QUICK NEWS

•        Jill's Funeral - I'm so thankful that the Lord brought me to Kansas City to be here when Jill died and for the funeral; if those news had reached me in Mali, it would have been devastating. The different memorial services and funeral were very emotional of course, but also beautiful. I'm thankful I was able to share my grief with others who felt the same. You can watch the funeral online by clicking here. Jill Austin was a spiritual Mom and board member of Healing 2 The Nations International.

•        Lost Luggage - After one week my luggage was delivered to me, praise God!

•        Finances - Healing 2 The Nations International finished the year 2008 with a debt of €7000 (i.e. $9000). The ministry is growing and expanding, but the financial support is lagging behind. We are $5000 short every month. Please consider supporting us to save the children and nation of Mali.

•        Back in Mali - Everything is going well at the homefront. Paul has been busy keeping one street kid out of prison, and bailing others out in their trouble. He's a hero!

•        Jérémie - Sweet 12-year-old Jérémie still hasn't got a sponsor yet. You can read his life story on the RESIDENT KIDS page. Sponsorship is €40 or $60 per month.

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death. (Phil 3:10)

So in love with HIM,

Claudia