LORD, Let Us Grow Closer To YOU

There are many crosses, and every 

one of them is sore and heavy!

(Alexander Smellie, "In the Hour of Silence")

"Whosoever will come after ME,
let him deny himself, and take up
his cross, and follow ME!" Mark 8:34

The cross which my LORD bids

me take up and carry, may assume

 different shapes.

There are many crosses, and every 

one of them is sore and heavy. 

None of them is likely to be sought 

out by me of my own accord. 

But never is JESUS so near me 

as when I lift my cross, and lay 

it submissively on my shoulder, 

and give it the welcome of a patient 

and unmurmuring spirit. HE draws close . . .

  to ripen my wisdom,

  to deepen my peace,

  to increase my courage,

  to augment my graces,

through the very experience which 

is so grievous and distressing.

And then, I grow closer to JESUS 

under the load.

    ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published Jonathan Edwards' powerful article,
 "The Portion of The Wicked!"