🤔Be A Learn🤗

When one continues they become a learner or a student. 

Matthew 16:24 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

When we read the words “deny himself” it goes against what we want. We hear take care of number one! Be careful that you don’t just see the words “deny himself.” Jesus was talking with those who have decided to follow Him. Once one decides and becomes a learner he knows there are things that must be denied. Reading that shouldn’t be strange. If one wants to increase their body strength there are things they will have to deny. If they want real success they will need a trainer or someone to teach them. That person then would become a learner from one who knows. That is what Jesus is teaching His disciples. The fact is clear “Then said Jesus unto his disciples” or those who have decided to follow Jesus, learn the things of Jesus.  Did you see what those learners were to deny? I didn't think so. As these men were taught they knew what needed to be denied. That's just simple learning. Have you ever learned a better way of doing something? If you have then you have to deny yourself from doing it the old way. Want to build that body mass? Then you will have to deny yourself. Want to lose some weight? Then you are going to have to deny yourself some things. Want to know more about this man Jesus? Then you are going to have to deny yourself. After I gave my heart to the Lord and He forgave me all my sin I had a desire to know who Jesus was. I remember night after night I would read my Bible to my wife. Then I would ask her to explain what I just read. She would and she became my first teacher of God’s Word. I was thrilled and excited and I couldn’t wait for the evening so I could hear and learn more about Jesus. As I learned and became a disciple of God’s Word my learning increased. Then I went to a night college and learned more. Church wasn’t a place I had to go too, it was a place I wanted to go to. In my process of learning I had to deny myself some things to understand and know other things about Jesus.  

Notice what else Jesus said.

Matthew 16:25 (KJV) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

I love how this verse starts off “For whosoever will” it didn’t read if you John, Peter and James will. Oh no it reads if anybody will, that’s me and that is you may friend for God is not a respector of person. Yes without a diploma, you see God is not looking for those with great intelligence. He is looking for those with great desires. Losing life and finding life is the question. I know those who have the Ranch, the Cars, the Boats, the House and all the Cash one could ever desire. Yes the promise of more will bring real joy and happiness, what a lie. One only has to read about Solomon to know better. You nor I will ever have what Solomon had. He realized that people, position, and plenty of stuff doesn’t bring real happiness nor joy. I know many think that if they could just win the lotto they would be happy, but you won’t! It will only increase your troubles. I was on a dead end street until Jesus took time out of His busy schedule to save me. I gave away a life full of nothing and gained a life full of happiness and joy and a place called Heaven. I became a winner! Then Jesus said this; Matthew 16:26 (KJV) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Wow mine and your soul is worth more than gaining the whole world. Why wouldn’t one want to become a learner? I got Jesus. What could I want more? 

I didn’t deny myself I gained it all. This life creeps up on us. The wrinkles slip up on us, our hair falls out along with our teeth, our mind slips and our walk gets slower. One day you realize your strength is getting a bit weaker and then weaker and then, well almost gone. Your eyesight is cloudy. The doctor tells you to watch what you are eating, lose some weight. Well you get the picture don't you? Deny Yourself!