Deny, Deny, Deny Matt.16:24amp

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].

Matthew 16:24amp

Take up your cross and follow Him.

Many say that they follow Jesus, but are you?  Read this verse again. And again. And, one more time. Are you sure? 

Jesus said to deny yourself.  The first part in all of this is denying yourself.  The AMP version says "set aside selfish interests".  Have you or are you doing that?  You can say you follow Jesus all day but your actions will speak on whether or not you have denied yourself first.  If you've put aside everything you want for what He wants.  Jesus was selfless.  How can you conform to a selfless life if you are selfish?  That's like asking a fish to come on land, breathe air and walk. 

Deny yourself.

When you finally come to the place in your life where what He desires is more important than what you desire...

You must deny yourself first.  John 3:30 said it best:

He must increase [in prominence], but I must decrease.

#prodigalpastor #devotional #Christ #denyyourself