From Death to Life

Today, as we continue in the series, “Following Jesus,” we will further explore what it means to die to ourselves. It is important for us to understand how truly ephemeral our life here on earth is, compared to the eternal life our Father has promised us.

Let’s open our hearts and minds to what God has for us as we begin with prayer. Please join with me.

Heavenly Father, it is truly my desire to have a closer walk with You. Will You help me? I love You, and I want to experience the life You planned for me. Thank You for the love and grace You show me every day.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

John 12:23-28a (NLT)
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”

Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”

Today, let’s focus on the importance of serving God over our own desires.
I had my whole week planned out. I was going to be quite busy, with several activities I love to do. Just thinking about my plans brought a smile to my face. Do you ever enjoy the planning and anticipation of something as much as actually doing it?

Then, unexpectedly, I was asked to do something that would cause me to divert from my much- anticipated plans. But this “something” I was asked to do was in support of furthering God’s kingdom. It could possibly be a blessing to someone. Oh, how I wanted to be selfish, and keep going in the direction I wanted to go and doing all the things I had planned for myself! Have you ever struggled with deciding between doing something important to you, and doing something important to God? Thankfully, I chose to be obedient. I chose God.

Learning to be a disciple of Jesus means sometimes giving up the things you want to do in order to answer God’s call. What I was being asked to do wasn’t monumental, didn’t require extraordinary sacrifice on my part, and certainly wasn’t going to completely change the trajectory of my life. But it was yet another step of obedience that brought me a little closer to God than I had been before. Do you feel blessed and happy in your heart when you put God’s desires over your own?

Each time I listen to God’s voice, and I’m willing to die to my desires, it gets easier and easier to serve Him without even thinking about what I had planned for myself. I don’t want to pursue my earthly desires over what God wants for me, if it means losing out on an eternity of fellowship and blessings from our precious Savior. Do you?

As you think through what we have talked about today, spend some time in prayer and ask God how you can better serve Him.

Talk to God about what He wants you to die to, and thank Him for leading you into a more rewarding life, one that will include an eternity in His presence.
 
I pray that for everything you are willing to die to, God blesses you beyond measure.