A pearl beyond price

"If anyone would come after me,

let him deny himself and

take up his cross and follow me".

Matthew 16:24

Deny yourself. Die to self. Sounds unpleasant.  But in all actuality it's quite the opposite.  This act of dying and denying opens a door to life and freedom like nothing ever seen before.  It can't be explained.  It must be experienced. 

To follow Jesus is a choice. And if that decision has been made, then obedience is required. 

Less of me, more of him. Laying down my pride and my selfishness.  The willingness to give up, to surrender everything I treasure in exchange for a pearl beyond price.  

I can't earn it.  I don't deserve it. Jesus paid it all.  All to him I owe. 

If I have nothing in this life but Jesus, I have more than I will ever need. 

Listen:  All That I Am by Rend Collective

Dying to Self

Author unknown

When you are forgotten or neglected

and you don't hurt with the insult,

but your heart is happy

– that is dying to self.

When your advice is disregarded,

your opinions ridiculed,

and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart,

and take it all in patient,

loving silence

 – that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear disorder,

 irregularity, tardiness, and annoyance…

and endure it as Jesus endured it

 – that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself

in conversation or record your own good works,

or itch for praise after an accomplishment,

when you can truly love to be unknown

– that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother or sister prosper

and can honestly rejoice with him,

and feel no envy

even though your needs are greater

– that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food,

any offering, any raiment,

any climate, or any society

– that is dying to self.

When you can take correction,

when you can humbly submit inwardly

as well as outwardly,

with no rebellion or resentment

rising up within your heart

– that is dying to self.