Today we are reading Matthew 16. In this chapter we read about Jesus and the disciples at Caesarea Philippi. “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” Matthew 16:24-27 ESV
These words are very challenging! Jesus calls us to deny ourselves for the sake of serving Him. What does “deny yourself” look like in your life? In what area do you struggle to deny yourself? Do you think this concept is the same as a “vow of poverty”? How do you balance self denial with enjoying God’s blessings? May God give you a heart fully devoted to Him! Pastor Tim
