Christian Self Denial The Source Of Life

We are saved or born again by believing and accepting Jesus as Lord and essentially the Greek definition of believing is trusting our self to Christ. By accepting Him as Lord we joyfully lose our life and this is denying self for His sake then we shall find our life in Him. The definition of deny in Matthew 16:24 is to lose one’s interest which is losing our life for His sake. Self-denial is a willingness to forgo all and forgoing as He directs. In this booklet denying self for salvation and daily denying self is considered an act of faith giving way to good works. Works from denying self will not save us but when we deny self for Jesus sake we are saved. In other words faith is for salvation not works of holiness, sanctification… etc. and the faith of denying self for His sake is our salvation but not by works of denying self.

In this compelling study of two seventeenth-century female mystics, Bo Karen Lee examines the writings of Anna Maria van Schurman and Madame Jeanne Guyon, who, despite different religious formations, came to similar conclusions about the experience of God in contemplative prayer. Van Schurman was born into a Dutch Calvinist family and became a superb scriptural commentator before undergoing a dramatic religious conversion and joining the Labadist community, a Pietistic movement. Guyon was a French layperson whose thought would be identified with Quietism—a spiritual path that was looked upon with suspicion both by the French Catholic Church and by Rome. Lee analyzes and compares the themes of self-denial and self-annihilation in the writings of these two mystics. In van Schurman's case, the focus is on the distinction between scholastic knowledge of God and the intima notitia Dei accessible only by radical self-denial. In Guyon's case, it is on the union with God that is accessible only through a painful self-annihilation. For both authors, Lee demonstrates that the desire for enjoyment of God plays an important role as the engine of the soul's progress away from self-centeredness. The appendices offer facing Latin and English translations of two letters by van Schurman and a selection from her Eukleria.

This book includes eight chapters on self-denial, based on Luke 9:23, and ten additional sermons. Watson teaches, Self-denial is the first principle of Christianity. He describes what self-denial is, then demonstrates the Christ-asserting nature of every self-denying act. The additional sermons in this volume are also valuable.

“Self-denial is one of the fundamental principles of the Christian life. It is Christianity 101,” writes author Ryan McGraw. Christians, regardless of personal cost, must believe and do whatever Christ teaches them and reject and flee from whatever He forbids them. McGraw helps readers develop an understanding of this essential principle of Christian living by providing an in-depth explanation of what self-denial is and why it is important, and then giving examples of what it looks like in practice.

In this remarkable New York Times bestseller, Joel Osteen offers unique insights and encouragement that will help readers overcome every obstacle in their lives.

Most people just want to be happy and to make a difference in the world. We're often told we'll achieve this by being ourselves - but when we begin to reflect, that's not quite as simple as it sounds. All sorts of questions and countercultural notions arise. Maybe trying to 'be yourself' is not such a good idea after all? In this book Graham Tomlin dares us to let go of some of the assumptions we make about life. Drawing on current research, contemporary events and ancient wisdom, he offers an invitation to journey to places we may never have imagined before. In doing so, he vividly reveals how the revolution that Christianity began can still make remarkable sense of our experience of wonder, love, evil, justice, identity and freedom. Exploring these universal experiences in a down to earth, easy to read manner, Why Being Yourself is a Bad Idea is a book for anyone struggling with the search for identity and self-discovery, and will leave you uplifted and reassured that seeking God can and will help you to make sense of life. 'Intriguing and provocative, speaking to our deepest concerns and heaviest questions.' James Mumford, author of Vexed: Ethics beyond political tribes 'I kept saying "YES!" as I turned the pages of this book.' Pete Greig, author of How to Pray

"I'm tired of helping others enjoy God—I just want to enjoy God for myself." With this painful admission, Ruth Haley Barton invites us to an honest exploration of what happens when spiritual leaders lose track of their souls. Weaving together contemporary illustrations with penetrating insight from the life of Moses, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership explores topics such as responding to the dynamics of calling facing the loneliness of leadership leading from your authentic self cultivating spiritual community reenvisioning the promised land discerning God's will together Each chapter includes a spiritual practice to ensure your soul gets the nourishment it needs. Forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God is the best choice you can make for yourself and for those you lead. This expanded edition includes the popular "How Is It with Your Soul?” assessment for leaders and a flexible six- or twelve-week guided experience for groups.

Andrew Murray (1828 - 1917) was a South African writer, teacher and Christian pastor. Murray considered missions to be the chief end of the church. Murray pastored churches in Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town and Wellington, all in South Africa. He was a champion of the South African Revival of 1860.In 1889, he was one of the founders of the South African General Mission (SAGM), along with Martha Osborn and Spencer Walton. After Martha Osborn married George Howe, they formed the South East Africa General Mission (SEAGM) in 1891. SAGM and SEAGM merged in 1894. Because its ministry had spread into other African countries, the mission's name was changed to Africa Evangelical Fellowship (AEF) in 1965. AEF joined with Serving in Mission (SIM) in 1998 and continues to this day. Through his writings, Murray was also a key Inner Life or Higher Life or Keswick leader, and his theology of faith healing and belief in the continuation of the apostolic gifts made him a significant forerunner of the Pentecostal movement. In 1894, Murray was visited by John McNeill and Rev. J Gelson Gregson, the ex-British Army Chaplain and Keswick convention speaker. Murray died on 18 January 1917, four months before his 89th birthday. He was so influenced by Johann Christoph Blumhardt's Möttlingen revival that he included a portion of Friedrich Zündel's biography at the end of With Christ in the School of Prayer.