Self Denial

I greet you in Jesus’ precious name! It is Monday morning, the 24th of November, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Gospel of Mark 8:34. Jesus said: “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Wow! Strong words! Remember, the cross represents death and self-denial. Then we go to John 6:66: ” From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” That must be one of the saddest verses for me in the Bible. These men were His disciples. There were about 120 of them, then only 12. This Christian walk is not a bed of roses, don’t let anybody tell you that. In fact, if there are any preachers listening to this message, be careful how you talk. I’ve got to do the same. It’s not a case of come to Jesus and all your problems will be over, not at all. It’s come to Jesus, and He will walk with you through the fire. He didn’t say He’ll take you out, but He will never leave you nor forsake you! Remember the rich young ruler? He said to Jesus, ”I have obeyed all the commandments.” And Jesus said, “But there’s one thing that you haven’t obeyed.” He didn't say that to him because He wanted money; He was testing him. He said, ”Give your riches to the poor, and come and follow me.” The Bible says that the rich young ruler walked away. I remember a minister saying to me, ”Jesus must have been standing there with tears running down His face.” He didn’t run after him and say, ”Listen, let’s negotiate, just give half of your money away.” No, He stood there and He watched that man on his road to hell. Oh yes - we need to understand something, if we want to follow the Lord, we’ve got to put Him first in our lives. That beautiful cross, young lady, beautiful silver or gold cross hanging around your neck, and by the way, I love to see people wearing the cross of Jesus, it doesn’t represent prosperity. It doesn’t represent anything to do with self, it is a sign that Jesus Christ died for you and He died for me, and we in turn must put the flesh down and start to live for Him. It is so beautiful to see people giving their lives to Christ, but then they need to follow through, but by the grace of God we will succeed. Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day, Goodbye.