When our children were much younger and we were living in South Carolina, Shelli was out of town, so the children and I made two planters for Shelli for Mother’s Day. We also planted little flowers down by the mailbox. The warmer weather and wind cooked them until the flowers down by the mailbox wilted and looked terrible.

They had a desperate need for tender loving care which included water! In the same sense, if new believers are not cared for, they will wilt.

Note that when “on the basis of” His authority we do go out to evangelize, identify and disciple people, we can know that He will always be with us empowering us. Jesus even said, “I am with you always.”

If we are to be refreshed, we must embrace the challenge and the commission of the cross. We should also make a personal commitment to the cross as we read in today’s verses.

There is always commitment demanded when we identify with Christ and His cross. Do you identify with Christ? Tomorrow we will examine three ways we commit to Christ and His cross. It is not trivial; it is life changing.