The Greatest Exchange {Matthew 16}
8:45 AMPaul knew it! "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20)
And in Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us," (emphasis mine)
To deny yourself is, not giving up of things, but surrendering yourself wholly and completely to our Lord Jesus. To deny yourself and take up your cross has nothing to do with the daily burdens you carry, or problems you may have to face - it is to live for Christ and allow Him to live THROUGH YOU.
It's a matter of abiding in Him, or stepping out of our comfort zones with all our wants, wishes and desires and allowing Him to take over. Trust me, what HE can do in and through you cannot even begin to compare to anything you could do on your own!
Not even close!
It's truly the difference between crawling and soaring!
All of this does come at a cost, however. We will need to deny/surrender ourselves to fully abide in Him each day, take up His identify with every aspect of His rejection, shame, suffering, death and mission; always mindful that the suffering we may endure for our Savior will one day lead to glory!
Beloved, I promise you, one day it will be worth it all, if you will only surrender and let Him live through you!
See you in glory,
sue
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