Deny Yourself by Ann Broughton

 “And then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV).

    Jesus had just predicted his death and persecution before he spoke the above words to the apostles. Jesus knew what he faced, but the apostles did not have a clue to the extent of the abuse Jesus would take in order for them to have eternal life.

    Later these apostles would run away from their Master. Jesus would be all alone to face those who wanted Him dead. Pilate had him flogged. The soldiers mocked him, spit on him, and again and again struck Him on his head. They twisted a crown of thorns and set it on his head. (Mark 15:16-19) He was then forced to carry the cross to Golgotha where He was crucified. (John 19:17).

    Later when Jesus rose from the dead, He would come to His apostles and reassure them. After Pentecost, these men who ran away would be filled with the Holy Spirit and would boldly preach to others about Jesus’ love and eternal life. They would carry their own crosses daily, and eventually many of them would die a martyr’s death. 
   Like these apostles we, too, must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. We, too, have the Holy Spirit in us to help us. God has given each of us a mission and equipped us with special abilities to be used for Him.

    Take up your cross daily and remember that Christ is in you enabling you to carry it. He will also give you the strength to carry out the mission He has for you on this earth.

Dear Lord,
Help us as we deny ourselves and take up our crosses every day. Give us your strength to do your will in our lives. We know that nothing is impossible with you. Thank you for helping us to be brave and not run away from the tasks that you have set before us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Deny Yourself by Ann E. Broughton

"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