 
                “I hate vain thoughts: But thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: For I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: And I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: For their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments.”
Psalm 119:113-120 KJV,https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.119.113-120.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 ...