November 3
Dying to Self
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24, niv
The power in your life and mine that results in blessing is in direct proportion to the extent that you are willing to die to . . .
your own will, your own goals, your own dreams, your own rights.
It’s what Jesus meant when He challenged His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” However, before you get too hung up on the cross, don’t forget—after the cross comes the resurrection and the power and the glory and the crown! Jesus kept His focus on the joy of abundant blessing as He “endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2, niv). Because Jesus was willing to die, He was blessed by God with a position of power and authority at His right hand.
If blessing is in direct proportion to a willingness to die to self, how blessed are you?
My Heart’s Cry
©2012 Anne Graham Lotz. All rights reserved.
What are the secrets to a life of impact? Daniel achieved greatness in the eyes of his contemporaries, in the eyes of history, and most importantly, in the eyes of God. His faith did not waver as he faced his critics, as he served new kings in power, or even as he confronted hungry lions. How can we achieve that kind of faith today? Twenty intentional, key choices made all the difference. Daniel’s choices can be ours, such as:
• The choice to listen
• The choice to forgive
• The choice to pray
Cultivate a life-changing faith when you learn to implement The Daniel Key into your everyday life. Request your copy!
For more from Anne Graham Lotz please visit AnneGrahamLotz.org.
Originally published Sunday, 03 November 2024.