 
                “Israel also came into Egypt; And Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. And he increased his people greatly; And made them stronger than their enemies. He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtilly with his servants. He sent Moses his servant; And Aaron whom he had chosen. They shewed his signs among them, And wonders in the land of Ham. He sent darkness, and made it dark; And they rebelled not against his word. He turned their waters into blood, And slew their fish. Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, In the chambers of their kings. He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, And lice in all their coasts.”
Psalm 105:23-31 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.105.23-31.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 ...