"Self Denial"

  It is one of the most difficult things to do but it leads to the biggest gain in ones life. It's called self-denial! It's called surrender! Jesus knew of the need in  man as three times He speaks that one needs to deny themselves if they were going to be His disciple. In fact, one CANNOT be His disciple without it! It's impossible. We speak of hope and forgiveness and they are too are bound up in Jesus but the surrendering of self to Jesus, it is when hope an forgiveness are truly found.

  Self-denial is nothing more than dethroning yourself as Lord, moving away from what you want, and giving the Lord access to change you from within. Self-denial is the choosing Jesus as Lord and dethroning ourselves. Self-denial is that inner resolve that I willingly give Him the right over my thoughts and will. Self-denial is where you stop elevating you and pursuing your will. Self-denial is where "He Himself will come to have first place in everything." (Col. 2:18) Everything!

  Self-denial is treating parents with the respect the Lord asks! Self-denial is about forgiving ANY hurts and letting them go for His name sake, not allowing the mind the dwell on them. Self-denial is about looking for opportunities to help His body move toward Him in your service. Self-denial is about becoming conformed to His image.

  One thing Jesus makes clear about self-denial, it is what leads to life! "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."  (Matt. 16:25) We just don't believe it. We talk about it, quote the verses but believing it is another story. It's difficult because the older we get, the more we love serving ourselves, being in control of our lives. But then, that's where the hardness of heart begins to set in and our ways become stubborn. Self-denial keeps one tender and their heart is for the Lord and no other. It leads us into true life.