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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 20, 2006 “Let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me…” |
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Frontline Devotion for Friday, January 20, 2006 by Mike Martine
Deny myself? What does that mean?
For most of us, “denying ourselves,” means having a big dinner and then skipping desert.
Jesus, I believe, lived a life that is a model of self-denial, and by self-denial I mean to say that Jesus lived a life for others.
When Jesus entered a town, he reached out. He healed the sick, comforted the oppressed, spoke words of hope to all who would listen.
There can be no doubt that there were times, as he did this, that he longed to be doing something else. Yet he pushed on, willing to do what he could to make the lives of others better.
Most of us aren’t healers, none of us can preach as he did, but all of us know that we can work for others, especially if we become less concerned about ourselves.
Think about your life and how you’d like to help others. Chances are there are things in your life you could deny yourself to help make this happen. No one is asking you to dress in rags and deny yourself everything. Even Jesus took time for himself, enjoyed the feast, and reveled in the company of friends. But there’s a good chance, if you are like most of us, that a little more self-denial is in order.
And remember, in helping others, in taking up the cross, we find Christ in our brothers and sisters - and Christ in ourselves as well.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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