Flesh and the Cross

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Many feel the daily burdens and the dreariness of life, trying to hold onto their faith. We are just tired from all the trials.

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Post reflects a discussion with Denise Kreps.

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Definition:

Flesh here is defined as not just that which predisposes us to sin, but the constant physical and emotional weakness we feel, which causes our daily failures and trials, and makes us feel doubt and fatigue, as we struggle on each day.

It also refers to our physical limitations, which can hamper our spiritual life.

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I believe our spiritual side is ok, but our flesh is weak.

We are just TIRED.

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When we are flesh, we feel our weaknesses….and need some form of comfort or help, or as we say, a sign.

We are still tactile in needs…we want YHVH God to hug us, and put His arms around us…..and we want to FEEL this …

….not just believe it.

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My puppy is the same way…she has to be petted and hugged and held, and told she is a good dog.  I have to play with her, because she wants this interaction.

I guess we will always be puppies, or kitties, as long as we have flesh…..but it is this longing, and needing, that draws our spirit closer to YHVH God.

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Think of the fallen angels…they SAW YHVH God and His love, and rejected it….they did not have to long for Him, or desire His touch…..they did not know how good they had it, until they lost it…….the hugs that were there were taken for granted.

We, in order to burn this desire into us, so that we will not go astray when we get to heaven, like the fallen ones, have to carry the burden of flesh….

We are denied daily….and we yearn daily…yet there is no satisfaction.

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We go day by day, wondering if tomorrow will be better…or if tomorrow we can have a sign or a touch, a dream or a vision….to feel the presence of YHVH God….

Our bodies need it, our minds too…but our minds are flesh also.

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Then nothing comes.

We get discouraged.

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We cannot see into the spiritual realm….

We are flesh….

We can only see with our eyes..

Maybe YHVH God is there, maybe He is somewhere else?

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We drag on through another day.

It is the apparent denial from YHVH God that burns the desire into our souls.

We are discouraged, but this does not make the desire go away.

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Jesus/Yeshua said once to pick up our cross and follow Him.

He was not talking about physical suffering, although that could be required of us.

He was talking about death to the flesh…..flesh (self) is the root of sin, as it weakens us and makes us susceptible to temptation.

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When we get to the point where we forget our needs and focus only on what is above, then we have crucified the flesh.

And that is hard to do…most take  a lifetime, and only make a little success, if any.

But that is our goal….that is our cross.

What seems like YHVH God’s denial is actually an invitation to come closer.

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The life we have as we carry the burden of flesh to overcome, is to not just ask YHVH God for his presence, not to just seek YHVH God’s presence, but to become so intense and passionate that we knock on the door of heaven, banging so loud, so constantly, so intensely, so desperately, that the doors have to open.

It is like we will go crazy if He does not respond to us.

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YHVH God wants our heated passion…..Jesus/Yeshua said lukewarm feelings are not accepted.

He also wants our fatigue and faithfulness, when it seems all the passion is gone……

It is the limit of flesh again causing the fatigue….the passion is there but we are too tired from knocking to express it.

This is why worship is also so important….here we are absorbed in who YHVH God is, and knocking on the doors of heaven,

and in worship we get closer to YHVH God, because we push past our flesh to reach beyond earth , to heaven’s gates.

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Do not give up, and give any doubts a rest…just understand that your flesh has made you tired….

Remember, Jesus/Yeshua in the garden had momentary doubts,

"do I really want to do this?"….

“can this cup pass from me?”

Grab a pillow and  hug yourself……

Know that the Lord is right there with you, seeing this struggle….He is your cheerleader….

He has born his own cross with victory, and He wants victory for you also.

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This is where the crowns come from, that we cast at His feet, when we get to heaven….

Crowns come from the crosses we bear, daily, that would destroy an unbeliever, but in a paradoxical way, strengthens the believer.

Even Jesus/Yeshua had to drag himself to Calvary..

We acknowledge our doubts but keep going….the prize is ahead of us.

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