“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:6-9 (NIV)
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)
The two famous Apostles tried to tell us something from their own experience.
Peter denied our Lord three times in the high priest's courtyard 2,000 years ago. He wept and repented after a rooster reminded him. Peter humbled himself and confessed his sin to other disciples for what he did in the high priest's courtyard and the whole world knew. Simon Peter, an uneducated fisherman and sinner, became the number one disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord forgave him, and Peter followed Him until the end. True repentance cannot come if one does not surrender pride.
Paul was a well-known enemy to the followers of The Way. Paul was a Pharisee soldier who persecuted believers of our Lord and put them in prison. Paul had a massive resentment toward the Christians. Then, on the road to Damascus, Paul was called by our Lord and his eyes were opened. He was persecuted, jailed many times, flogged severely, five times forty lashes minus one, and three times beaten with rods. Three times shipwrecked, and suffered many things from Jews and Gentiles. Paul continued to deny himself and carried his Cross daily. Our Lord forgave Paul and spoke through him to the world. Paul kept his faith until the end. Paul was no longer angry and resentful. We know that from the love described in 1 Corinthians 13.
Our Lord also has a plan for me. I could help men in their purity journey because I was a sinner first whom our Lord saved. I have been forgiven much, so I had to love much, and it comes naturally because of the gratitude from death to life. I use that experience of helping those men walk on the Narrow Road for this ministry so everything we share here can be testified as true before our Lord. I’m no pastor, theologian, or Bible scholar. I’m only a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ who trusts and follows His commands. We don’t use fancy words for Daily Cross or try to attract attention to have many views or likes. I like to remind one person at a time. That’s what I have done for the men’s purity ministry. It is always one person at a time and one day at a time. I will continue reminding you and myself of the same thing over and over again because our flesh is weak. We know about muscle memory for the daily things we do. We know how to brush our teeth without doubt that clean water will come from the faucet. We know how to sit on a chair for breakfast and not worry that the chair may not hold our weight. These little things demonstrate faith like a mustard seed because we do not doubt them. So you know there is spiritual muscle memory; they can be trained if you are willing, the real mustard seed. Allow us to help you by reminding us all together.
Regarding Peter and Paul, pride and resentment are to be avoided at all costs because they result in entitlement. Entitlement is the fuel to ignite an uncontrolled wildfire that may consume everything. Entitlement is when one thinks one deserves something, regardless of the consequences. It can blind a person’s heart fast, and the consequences are usually sins that can lead to death. The enemy knows because that’s his tactic, with a little whisper in the ears to remind you that you deserve something. Those whispers will not work if you have learned to be humble and gentle in heart like our Lord.
Therefore, keep your thoughts captive at all times. When you sense pride and resentment in your heart, pray to remove them quickly. You may identify them if you pay attention to your heart regularly. Sometimes, the force of pride and resentment can be strong and require help from our Lord. Call His name and ask His help. A good habit is not going to bed without praying to remove pride and resentment in your heart.
There will be no nightmare without them.
May our Lord bless you and give you a good night’s sleep.
Becomelects Ministry
Thank you for the reminder!
Merci beaucoup! One at a time…. May the Lord bless you and your loved ones. Your beautiful, simple, strong faith helps me along our pilgrimage, every day.