Luke 9:23

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

                  Recently I wrote a blog on "denying yourself and following Christ."  For some reason I feel it needs to be mentioned again, so I am going to make this blog about that scripture.  This blog would be geared towards people who claim to be christians.  When we get saved and accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we are saying in a confession that we are tired of doing it our way and living our way.  We surrender all to God and acknowledge him that he died for our sins and that we want to make him Lord of our lives.  When we say this we are denying ourselves, which is dying to ourselves, and being made brand new in our Lord, Christ Jesus.  So now we are a new creation, we have the Spirit of God in us again.  Being Saved is Step 1, the steps will continue until we are no longer here on this earth.  With each step it becomes harder and harder because to be a true follower of Jesus we have to deny our flesh and walk in Spirit.  Do you have any idea how hard this is??? Christians will tell you that is one of the hardest things you can do.  Some Christians even have gotten so caught up in this that it can actually end up discouraging non believers because they don't see anything different with themselves and Christians.  Apostle Paul wrote that he has to do it daily.  This is something that needs to be done on a daily basis, morning, noon, and night!!  Anytime we feel a "fleshy" desire, we have to call it out what it is , (which is sin) and ask for forgiveness and keep doing our faith walk.  Through walking with the Lord he will give you the strength you need that it will get easier.  If you just started out doing this then you really need to monitor what you watch, listen to, how you speak, what you read, who you hang with, etc.  You can't tell the difference between flesh and spirit yet, so you need to educate yourself and go into your quiet place with God to where he can speak to you.  Go to his word and see what it means to walk in the spirit.  Fall in Love with our Savior and you will find you will be eager to take up your cross and follow him.  '
                 It can be so easy to call ourselves christians, but the truth is that if we look like the world, then we aren't doing anything for christ.  We need to bear fruit and be true disciples of Christ.  We need to be different so others can see Christ in us and through us by our actions.  We cannot have offense with others, we have to constantly be walking in the spirit.  Get in a spirit filled church where you can be educated and get around other members of the body of Christ and get involved serving.  we cannot do this alone, we need eachothers help.  We need to come together as brothers and sisters and be real and walk it out!!!