Post by skybluu on Oct 12, 2007 19:18:41 GMT 10
I realize this is a little long and I have rambled, but when I began this, I only had a few things to say. As God led me to scrip-ture things became clearer and I just didn't want to stop. I don't even now, but I will keep on pursuing this subject.
Quote:
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those who are unwilling to take up their Cross, deny Self, and follow
Jesus? By no means. Instead, let us endeavor to show others, by
example, that the only way to Life is through Death; the only way to
reign with Him is to suffer with Him; not those who hear, but those
who hear and put into practice, are His true disciples.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have been contemplating “Deny Self” and all it entails. Deny self is a positive statement unless you are of this world.
To “Deny Self” means just that. We deny ourselves and allow Christ to fill those places that we normally reserve for ourselves. It is so much more than “Denying” one’s self of what we call the advantages of this life. I know that I need to deny myself the right to be angry, hurt, embarrassed, or offended. For me, these are emotions that have been with me for so long. Jesus did not say it would be easy to carry our cross’s, but since He commanded it in His word, it is possible. Some other thoughts occur to me about this subject. When I have a task to do that maybe is not so pleasant instead of complaining I must do each and every one with joy knowing I am pleasing my Savior.
Denying self requires us to give up anything that we would want or seek that would hinder our doing the will of God. This does not mean that, if we want something, it is necessarily wrong. It means we must take our wants and desires down from the throne and place Jesus and His will as the governing power in our lives.
This is the only way we will be able to bear our cross. Jesus MUST be First and Foremost in our lives.
There is room in each life for only one master *19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.(Matt. 6:19-24).
If God is to rule in our lives, then our will must be made subservient to His. We must be willing to give up anything in life in order to please God. I - beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom. 12:1,2;
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matt. 6:33;
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, **** 26 - If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 - And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 - For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 - Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 - Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 - Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 - Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 - So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Deny,,,, forsaking everything but our faith, trust, and hope in God and eternal life with Him.....
I know that some people get very impatient with me, that some just don’t understand and my trying to explain/defend myself is just wasted time that I should spend following Christ, reading the word, praying, encouraging, and doing what it is that God put me here for. I have not totally learned to deny self yet, but God is bringing me closer and closer to completion. I know that will not be until I go home to be with Him, but, life here on earth, no matter the circumstances, is so much more joyful since I have quit fighting Him every step of the way.
My Precious, Precious, Father, I am so awed by the things You are bringing me too. I have longed for so long to understand Your word and little by little, things are making sense to me...
Father, I praise you tonight for all You do, I am most blessed and now I want to give something to You. I want to grow and thrive as a Christian. I want to carry my cross with a joyful heart and a song on my lips. I can do it Lord, but only with You as my guide.
I love You, Sky
Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
those who are unwilling to take up their Cross, deny Self, and follow
Jesus? By no means. Instead, let us endeavor to show others, by
example, that the only way to Life is through Death; the only way to
reign with Him is to suffer with Him; not those who hear, but those
who hear and put into practice, are His true disciples.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have been contemplating “Deny Self” and all it entails. Deny self is a positive statement unless you are of this world.
To “Deny Self” means just that. We deny ourselves and allow Christ to fill those places that we normally reserve for ourselves. It is so much more than “Denying” one’s self of what we call the advantages of this life. I know that I need to deny myself the right to be angry, hurt, embarrassed, or offended. For me, these are emotions that have been with me for so long. Jesus did not say it would be easy to carry our cross’s, but since He commanded it in His word, it is possible. Some other thoughts occur to me about this subject. When I have a task to do that maybe is not so pleasant instead of complaining I must do each and every one with joy knowing I am pleasing my Savior.
Denying self requires us to give up anything that we would want or seek that would hinder our doing the will of God. This does not mean that, if we want something, it is necessarily wrong. It means we must take our wants and desires down from the throne and place Jesus and His will as the governing power in our lives.
This is the only way we will be able to bear our cross. Jesus MUST be First and Foremost in our lives.
There is room in each life for only one master *19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.(Matt. 6:19-24).
If God is to rule in our lives, then our will must be made subservient to His. We must be willing to give up anything in life in order to please God. I - beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom. 12:1,2;
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matt. 6:33;
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, **** 26 - If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 - And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 - For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 - Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 - Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 - Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 - Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 - So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Deny,,,, forsaking everything but our faith, trust, and hope in God and eternal life with Him.....
I know that some people get very impatient with me, that some just don’t understand and my trying to explain/defend myself is just wasted time that I should spend following Christ, reading the word, praying, encouraging, and doing what it is that God put me here for. I have not totally learned to deny self yet, but God is bringing me closer and closer to completion. I know that will not be until I go home to be with Him, but, life here on earth, no matter the circumstances, is so much more joyful since I have quit fighting Him every step of the way.
My Precious, Precious, Father, I am so awed by the things You are bringing me too. I have longed for so long to understand Your word and little by little, things are making sense to me...
Father, I praise you tonight for all You do, I am most blessed and now I want to give something to You. I want to grow and thrive as a Christian. I want to carry my cross with a joyful heart and a song on my lips. I can do it Lord, but only with You as my guide.
I love You, Sky
