From the Word

I'M IN DENIAL
You know how we hear all the time. "He's in denial" or "she's in denial." In our society that is a bad thing. We get so focused on self, especially in the performing arts. We are convinced that to make it in this business, we need to promote ourselves a little. Make sure people know what we have to offer. We even do this in the realm of ministry, we just say we need to be careful not to push to hard so we look arrogant. We need to keep it in check and maintain a good balance. What does that mean? Jesus told people who He was and what He had to offer, but then He was God. Our job is not about telling about me but about Jesus, who afterall is God. In fact He's the one who said, "If anyone one would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:24) Every single day of my life I need to surrender to God. I need to be in denial. It is not a state that we naturally remain.

Lord, forgive me for not coming to you each day and denying my selfish desires and putting your work ahead of what I want.

SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 10:37-42, Luke 9:23-27, Luke 14:25-35

BOTTOM LINE
We need to start each day with a good dose of self-denial.