In Denial

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Mark 8:34b



The Lord says things to us that, well, we don’t like. We cringe when we think of what we may have to give up, or worse give away. We’re much more comfortable when all we deny self is what we’re willing to give God—leftovers and second-hand furniture. But, when Jesus asked us to deny self, His teaching wasn’t about financial or material things, but how we look at ourselves decreasing and placing our focus upward, increasing God in our lives and pouring God outward to everyone around us.

The first thing we are to deny is our place of importance. We are to surrender obediently, giving reverence to God—His Word, His power, His being our Creator—and then submit to all the Lord desires to pour out upon us. Ah, what we have received is then poured out upon others around us—His Spirit. Denial is not ignoring the truth, but accepting the truth, denial is complete humility before God—humbleness to listen, to receive, to respond to all He is and will do in our lives. Denial is fulfilled in our humility to God. Denial is humility to give self to God and to others.

Denial is emptying of self. When you deny self, you kill pride. Then, He begins pouring upon you miracles, wonders, love, joy, compassion, and all that you cannot receive without God.

I pray you’re in denial, Owen <><