S) "24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.'"
Matthew 16:24 (NASB)
O) Following Jesus takes commitment. Denying ourselves means putting our own interests aside and seeking God's interests instead. Taking up our cross is not about wearing a necklace or getting a tattoo. It means that we are accepting our death sentence. This life is temporary and we need to value our life only as far as it can be used by God.
A) In all honesty, I think I do a better job of taking up my cross, than I do of denying myself. In the larger things of my life, I am able to easily give them over to God. I will live where He wants and work where He wants... but in the little things, I don't think I deny myself as often as I maybe should. Consistent fasting is one of the more obvious ways of denying myself, and I've been doing a fairly good job of that. I also feel like I do a fair job of sacrificing for my wife or family. But, do I deny myself of my own desires, simply as a way of conquering my flesh and honoring God alone?
P) Father, I put my life in Your hands, God. I concede that You know what I need, what I should be doing, and what is best for myself and for others. In the greater things, I give up control of my life for Your will. But, Holy Spirit, help me sacrifice little things and my little desires, as an act of honoring You, LORD. Strengthen my resolve and remind me that those acts of self-denial are commanded and I need to obey. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) In all honesty, I think I do a better job of taking up my cross, than I do of denying myself. In the larger things of my life, I am able to easily give them over to God. I will live where He wants and work where He wants... but in the little things, I don't think I deny myself as often as I maybe should. Consistent fasting is one of the more obvious ways of denying myself, and I've been doing a fairly good job of that. I also feel like I do a fair job of sacrificing for my wife or family. But, do I deny myself of my own desires, simply as a way of conquering my flesh and honoring God alone?
P) Father, I put my life in Your hands, God. I concede that You know what I need, what I should be doing, and what is best for myself and for others. In the greater things, I give up control of my life for Your will. But, Holy Spirit, help me sacrifice little things and my little desires, as an act of honoring You, LORD. Strengthen my resolve and remind me that those acts of self-denial are commanded and I need to obey. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment