Death to self isn’t to be confused with the death of self. Jesus does not condone self-hatred. If anything, Jesus elevates our worth beyond what we could ever claim or measure! But self-denial and self rejection are two different things. An example of self-rejection would be, “I’m disgusting and worthless.” An example of death to self would be, I deeply want to fight back with my words but I recognize that I don’t have to follow that instinct anymore.” It’s letting go of a lesser life in order to let your new life in Christ to emerge.
Submission
Samuel Logan Brengle
Perfect consecration is a putting off self and a putting on Christ; a giving up your own will in all things and receiving the will of Jesus instead. This may seem well-nigh impossible and very disagreeable to your unsanctified heart; but if you mean business for eternity, and will intelligently and unflinchingly look at this strait gate through which so few enter, and tell the Lord that you want to go through that way, though it cost you your life, the Holy Spirit will soon show you that it is not only possible, but easy and delightful thus to yield yourself to God.
Author Unknown
When a group of British ministers discussed inviting D.L. Moody for a crusade, one minister asked: “Why must it be Moody? Does D.L. Moody have a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?” Quietly, one of the other ministers replied: “No, but it’s evident that the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on D.L. Moody.”
Katherine Walden
Intercessors must guard their hearts and motivations. Remember he is the commander in chief, not us. He directs us, our job is not to convince Him. We are his foot soldiers. Wait on him for his instructions on how to pray into a situation.
Oswald Chambers
I must learn that the purpose of my life belongs to God, not me. God is using me from His great personal perspective, and all He asks of me is that I trust Him. … When I stop telling God what I want, He can freely work His will in me without any hindrance. … Self-pity is of the devil, and if I wallow in it I cannot be used by God for His purpose in the world.
Lysa TerKeurst
Total surrender will bring about a depth of peace and relationship with God we can’t get any other way. It all stems from living out Deuteronomy 6:5, loving God “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Nothing in life is certain. Circumstances roll in and out like the ocean’s tide. And the unknown can sometimes seem so frightening. We can’t stop or control things that roll our way any more than we can stop the water’s edge. But we can make the minute-by-minute choice to let our souls rest in God… We don’t have to understand; we just have to trust.
Elisabeth Elliot
Speaking of the 5 missionaries, including her husband, Jim, who were martyred this day in 1956:
Each had made a personal transaction with God, recognising that he belonged to God, first of all by creation, and secondly by redemption through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. This double claim on his life settled once and for all the question of allegiance. It was not a matter of striving to follow the example of a great Teacher. To conform to the perfect life of Jesus was impossible for a human being. To these men, Jesus Christ was God, and had actually taken upon Himself human form, in order that He might die, and, by His death, provide not only escape from the punishment which their sin merited, but also a new kind of life, eternal both in length and in quality. This meant simply that Christ was to be obeyed, and more than that, that. He would provide the power to obey.
Bill Johnson
He makes the Promised Land possible, and we pay the price to live there. He’ll give us His baptism of fire if we’ll give Him something worth burning.
John Bosco
Many people [in authority] oppose us, persecute us, and would like even to destroy us, but we must be patient. As long as their commands are not against our conscience, let us obey them, but when the case is otherwise, let us uphold the rights of God and of the Church, for those are superior to all earthly authority.
John Bosco (1815-1888)
Richard Wurmbrand
When the Messiah comes, many will try to play their own songs on His harp. The results will be tragically dissonant. On the Messiah’s harp, you must play His own song — the song of His eternal glory with God; the song of His humiliation as a babe in a manger; the song of a life in sorrow, opposition and poverty on Earth; the song of His being whipped and crucified and buried; and finally the song of His resurrection, ascension and enthronement in heaven. Then the harp will give a beautiful sound. His congregation will shine like a sun.