Daily Death, Daily Life

Devotional 
Every morning, we face a choice that will determine the course of our entire day: Will we live from our old self-centered nature, or will we allow Christ to live through us? This daily decision is what it means to 'take up your cross daily.' Dying to self isn't a one-time event - it's a daily practice. It happens in the small moments throughout our day. When your spouse says something that irritates you, how do you respond? When a coworker takes credit for your work, what's your reaction? When you're stuck in traffic and running late, where does your mind go? These everyday situations are opportunities to practice death to self. Instead of reacting from our natural impulses - anger, pride, selfishness - we can choose to respond from Christ's life within us. We can ask, 'How would Jesus handle this situation?' and then surrender our will to His. This isn't about perfection or never making mistakes. It's about developing a lifestyle of surrender, where we consistently choose to put others' needs above our own and seek God's will over our own desires. Each time we make this choice, we experience a little more of the abundant life Jesus promised. The beautiful truth is that as we practice this daily death to self, we discover that we're not losing anything valuable - we're gaining everything that truly matters. We find that Christ's life flowing through us is far more satisfying than anything our old self could produce. Remember, you don't have to do this in your own strength. Christ Himself provides the power to live this crucified life.

Bible Verse
'Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.' - Galatians 2:16

Reflection Question
What does 'dying to self' look like in your specific relationships and daily circumstances today?

Quote
What does it look like to die? It means if you're in a marriage or you're in a relationship with somebody and a situation arises, what does death look like? How do I die to myself in this situation? How do I put the other person's need above my own?

Prayer
Lord, help me to take up my cross daily and die to my selfish desires. In every situation today, help me to choose Your life over my old nature. Give me the strength to put others' needs above my own.