I’m sure some of you listen to K-Love Radio. If so, you have heard them talk about choosing a WORD for 2011. They suggest you ask God to give you a word that will guide your walk with Him this year. I have heard words like such as surrender, trust, purpose — the list goes on and on.
Personally, I haven’t asked God. I don’t make resolutions for the new year because I don’t want to set myself up. :o) But I have noticed a pattern so far in 2011. Though this is only January 20th, I have continued to hear the same scripture whispered in my heart all month.
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.”
I was listening to K-Love again as I drove to my daughter’s school and I realized that the word DENY has been a constant in my heart this month.
Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary give this as one of the definitions for DENY:
- to restrain (oneself) from gratification of desires
In such a land of plenty, how many of us actually DENY ourselves of anything? If we are hungry, we eat. If we want to purchase something, we find a way to buy it.
I have found my focus much stronger as I’ve denied my flesh. Oh, it is screaming — trust me, but I am PRESSING THROUGH (just as I said in yesterday’s post).
Isn’t it interesting how God’s ways seem to be opposite of what the world would suggest? We must DENY ourselves to be blessed. We must become the least to be the greatest. We must humble ourselves before we can be lifted up. We must die to truly live.
If you find yourself in a season where the heaven’s seem quiet — see if you have been denying your desires and spending that extra time in the Word or in prayer.
I heard Jentezen Franklin say yesterday: Fasting + Prayer = Passion/Burden. You can hear a pastor share a message, but when he is in a season of fasting — there is MORE PASSION — more of A BURDEN in his heart. The same goes for us. Fasting and prayer increases the furnace within our bellies.
2 Timothy 1:6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Have you denied yourself lately?
Have I denied myself lately?
Yes. But never as much as I should 🙁
~Ron
Oh so good! I've fallen off the fasting wagon just a little bit. Trying to get my focus back. Denying my flesh is a daily battle, but so worth it!
my oh my, It's like you were speaking directly to me today, I have sticky notes posted all over now with verses and words from your post. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting this, it's exactly what I needed to hear and has prompted my heart to dive more into His word. Thank you!!
Denying myself??? I definitely have lots of work to do on that one, but God is on my side…PRAISE BE!
For way too many years I spent
every evening in front of the
t.v. Ten years ago I rededicated
my life to the Lord and told Him
I would give Him all of my evenings.
I spend the last two hours of my
nights alone with Him in prayer,
Bible study, or listening to one
of my favorite pastor/teachers
online. It has made the most
remarkable difference in my life.
I have lost all interest in t.v.
and deepened my relationship with
Him immensely.
I totally agree! Lord help me to deny!!!
What a great post! Thanks for the reminder…I'm with Barbie, denying my flesh is a daily battle! Thankfully we are victorious ~ I just need to live that way. Thanks for the encouragement today!
it is good for the soul!
so your fasting again?!