We found this brand called “Allegro Coffee” made in Thornton, CO. I really love it!

When the things of God are superior to the things of man, it may surprise us. We may feel it should go one way (the way of worldly wise- with riches, success, etc), like Peter in the passage below.

After all, Peter was the first disciple who understood that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. He may have thought why would the Christ have to suffer? In a worldly view, He should have been exalted by parading in on a white horse, not riding in on a donkey.

When the Holy Spirit gives us fruit (including self-control), humility will be the most amazing result.

The real question is: are my actions serving God’s Spirit, including the fruit of self-control aka humility. Or, are they puffing up the flesh. #spiritualpride

Denying ourselves is never easy. Taking up our cross means we also share in the burden of Christ’s sufferings. Following Jesus means we unite with His heart of obedience to the Father. #notmywill

Whether we need to give more to others or allow humility to produce the fruit of God’s purposes, the most important message is to be a part of Christ’s church. #transformed

Losing our life to find it sounds backwards. When it is for the sake of Christ, a small mustard seed of faith results in massive amounts of fruit.

Choose today whom you will follow: “self” or “death to self”, which is surrender: not to a man or to an organization but to the Savior. -Teresa

Matthew 16: 13-25 (ESV)

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock^[a] I will build my church, and the gates of hell^[b] shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed^[c] in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

²¹ From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord!^[d] This shall never happen to you.” ²³ But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance^[e] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever would save his life^[f] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.