Deny Yourself: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“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).

Recently I learned that a friend of mine from one of our previous ministries lost her 42 year old son due to a tragic accident. He was riding his bike and a truck went through a stop sign and hit him. I was heart broken for my friend and her family. When incidents like this happens I become very reflective about life. I think all of us take life for granted. We think that we are indestructible and that death is far off in the future, but we are only guaranteed this moment. We are here by the grace of God. It is important to be doing His will every moment and behaving in a manner that would please God with every breath He allows us to breathe.

Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Also: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 37,39 NIV). Are you doing this? When you wake up do you thank God for the day, and ask him to show you ways that you can be used by him? There are so many ways you can show Jesus’ love as you go through your day. You could help someone unload groceries, complement someone, send an encouraging card to someone, tell someone they are doing a great job, or witness to someone about what Jesus had done in your life. The world seems to be full of hate and unkindness now, at least that is what the news suggests. But if each one of us were to show kindness to others, then maybe things would change. It just takes one person helping someone that can start a chain reaction. Be on the lookout for ways to show random acts of kindness. As a Christian this should be how we behave to others. We must love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

I pray that those of you reading this will not take your lives for granted, but will be praying every day for ways to show God’s love to others and in every endeavor put Christ first in your life.

Dear Lord,

I realize life is short and that sometimes I take it for granted. Help me to constantly be aware that I must put your will above mine. Help me to be a living example of your love as I go about my daily business. Help my words to be uplifting to those around me.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

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