Luke 9: 18 - 26

"Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." (NIV)

I think much of our frustration in life comes from our failure to do what these verses say. A failure to deny ourselves for Him (verse 23). Rather than trusting in the Lord's will and following His lead, we have a tendency to spend our time dwelling on our own plans and dreams, and discouraged when they don't seem to be happening.

But as Jesus very clearly said, only by giving up our lives will we find real life (verse 24). Real, lasting satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy are only found in obedience to God. He really knows what's best for us, we need to trust Him and see!

Personal Reflection:
Lord, help me to deny myself today; to lay down my own desires and focus on Your will for me. Help me to trust You, remembering that You are always working Your perfect plan and will in my life.