"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV).
Denying oneself is probably one of the hardest things to do. You are to give God all that you are, that includes your flaws as well. Sometimes it is very easy to be self critical about how you look on the outside, but God looks at your heart. God told Samuel that very thing, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7 NIV). God wants you to give Him your whole heart. It is then that God can use you in ways that you can’t even imagine. The Lord has a special plan for your life, but you must totally deny yourself in order to find out what that plan is. The cross you have to bear will be lighter knowing that the Lord is with you to help you bear it. May you realize the wonderful potential that is within you that can be used in remarkable ways if you just deny yourself and follow Christ.
Dear Lord,
Let us consider how our hearts measure up to your inspection. Help us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses willingly knowing that in the end you will be meeting us with open arms saying, "Well, done my faithful servant."
In Jesus' name,
Amen
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