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Deny yourself not just during Lent
pastor corner

During the season of Lent, the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter, many people choose to deny themselves of something that they enjoy.

There is nothing wrong with this because it is a good thing to learn to live disciplined lives. The Apostle Paul, in scripture, considered his body an enemy of which he must contend.

He says in 1 Corinthians 9:27 that he made his body a slave, meaning that he must practice self-discipline, abstinence and denial.

The problem occurs when Lent is the only time we think this should happen. Jesus made a radical statement in Luke 14:33 when he said, "those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciple."

To be a disciple means we have to be willing to give up ownership of everything we possess. It doesn’t mean that we have to sell everything we have or give up the practice of everything we enjoy (like what was required of the rich young ruler, to those who know that story), but it does mean that we have to be willing to do so if the Lord should ask.

So the question is, what is the Lord asking of you and is Jesus truly the Lord of your life? The good news is, if he isn’t he can be. It is your decision.

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