Who here needs work in this arena?

Part of an article about dying to self by

Article by Josh Squires



Draw Your Energy from God


Second, we must know from where the energy to be self-sacrificing comes. Too often we strive for self-denial in our own strength. But trusting in ourselves to deny ourselves is an oxymoron. Self-sacrifice is not refreshing to the ego, but often feels like death. And doubly so when our sacrifice seems to be in vain.

While our own effort is vitally important, it is empty without the catalyzing of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). Counting others more significant than ourselves is an activity that starts with, is borne along by, and finds its fulfillment in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, sacrifice which doesn’t start with Spirit-dependent prayer and trust should not be expected to yield spiritual satisfaction.

It is often when we find ourselves at the end of our own abilities that God’s grace in us superabounds (Ephesians 3:14–21). So, let us not too quickly withdraw when we find ourselves gassed in the marathon of lifelong sacrifice, but rather redouble our efforts through God’s word and prayer. Through our perseverance, God’s grace may be made more apparent to the world and ourselves.


Sacrifice Yourself for God


Third, we need to understand our own heart when it comes to self-sacrifice. Too often our self-denial is little more than window dressing on our desire to please people or control them. When it fails to accomplish these goals, we feel hurt. We may even blame God (which is always sin).

What makes this even more complicated is that even rightly intended motivations are often wrongly prioritized. Wanting someone to be helped, get better, or feel more loved becomes the primary focus, not bringing honor to Jesus (Colossians 3:17). And when motivations, even good ones, get top billing over the glory of God, we are setting ourselves up for the sort of disappointment that leads to weariness in well-doing (Galatians 6:9).


Hit home, anyone else want to go down the journey of dying to self, for His Glory. I would appreciate prayers in this arena. Thank You. To His feet, where we all belong.

often when we are giving our very best to family or others in general, we don't even realize it, until a moment
in time when our Holy Saviour blesses us with the reality of what we are actually doing - this is His Holy gift
that can never be denied as we long to walk in His Light...

So true, thank God for His establishing.

This article is the early beginnings of really accepting God.
Our growth needs to bring us to the point where we surrender
completely to God. As it says in Paul, once we give ourselves
to God we have become a new creation. That is to say that
God is in us and we are in Him. In that way we have an intimate
relationship with Him because whatever we do, we do in His will.
He is our daddy, we are His children and we joyful do as He says.
Eventually we don't sit and wonder what is sacrifice and what
isn't or how much or if any. Our agape love brings to a place where
we love Him without condition. We do things that naturally become
those of glorifying Him. This doesn't say we have received perfection,
not at all. But it does put our journey on the way to perfection. We
are living completely in grace and no longer the flesh. We are still
bound by the human condition which is imperfect at this time. So
we cling to our God with all our hearts and He is first in every single
decision we make. Assuredly once we have given ourselves to Him,
we can never come back because living in His holiness is such a
beautiful place, there would never be anything to come back to.

Yes, what makes our journey there so assuring is knowing He will get us where we need to be, at His feet.

Love @Assuredly once we have given ourselves to Him,
we can never come back because living in His holiness is such a
beautiful place.