“If anyone would come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF and take up his cross and FOLLOW ME”
Mark 8:34 ESV
“And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.””
Mark 14:30 ESV
In our lives someone WILL BE and MUST BE denied EVERY SINGLE day. Self or Jesus Christ.
We cannot follow Jesus and put self #1.
To put Jesus #1 and follow him is to put self (with his/her desire for pride of life and status and pleasure and ease and honor and money) in his proper place …daily…repeatedly.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalms 23:2-4
We can’t be stubborn and hope get anywhere with the Lord. We can trust that He is taking us somewhere we should be.
“But the quiet waters are on the other side of rough turbulent waters.
The path of righteousness looks uncomfortable and terrifying and I really don’t like the other people on it.
The valley of the shadow of death looks creepy why would Gods take me there?
No I’ll stay here… where I’m in control.”
English