Focal Point: Pt 3 - 5-Day Devotional: Jesus Calls - Day 3

Reading: Matthew 16:24-26

Devotional: Jesus' invitation to deny ourselves isn't about self-hatred or humiliation—it's about freedom. To deny yourself means to forget yourself, to lose sight of your own interests in favor of God's greater purpose. This doesn't happen naturally; it requires intentional pursuit of relationship with Christ first. You cannot clean yourself up to come to God; you must come to God so He can clean you up. When we trade our pride for His humility, our anxiety for His peace, our shame for His acceptance, we don't lose ourselves—we finally become who we were created to be. God isn't asking you to give up anything you truly need; He's asking you to surrender what's killing you so you can truly live.

Reflection Question: What is one thing God is asking you to surrender that you've been holding onto?