 
                “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, And teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, Neither will he forsake his inheritance. But judgment shall return unto righteousness: And all the upright in heart shall follow it.”
Psalm 94:12-15 KJV,https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.94.12-15.KJV
Dying to Live
Dying to ourselves can feel like a bad thing. Most people want to exalt, applaud, and promote themselves.
But in God’s kingdom, dying to ourselves is essential.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NIV 
A lump of clay cannot become a work of art unless it is shaped into something else. A container of paint cannot be used for a masterpiece unless it is first poured out. A carbon deposit must change in order to become a diamond. A caterpillar must give up its old way of life in order to become a magnificent butterfly.
The invitation to die is actually an invitation to live.
When we give our lives to God, we’re choosing to surrender our plans, our desires, and our gifts. And that can be hard. But we also know there is something better—and Someone better—on the other side.
God can realign our plans, reshape ...