Joel M Bradshaw

23And [Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. —Luke 9

1. Our society expects each of us to inwardly and outwardly pursue the self.
2. Following Jesus means placing that selfishness on the altar of daily living and instead pursuing Jesus.
3. There’s a reason Jesus commanded self-denial. Your greatest idol is yourself.
4. Self-love, self-hatred, self-image, self-worth, self-esteem, self-pursuit. None of these can be your goal if you practice self-denial in following Jesus.
5. Good biblical self-pursuits are self-discipline expressed in self-control.
6. Remember you deny yourself as you follow Jesus. He now is to be your pursuit and goal.
7. Selfishness is so powerful! But it is to be your daily work as a Christian and it marks you as so.—JMB