Deny yourself...

This week's meditation verse is Luke 9:23:
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

It has really challenged me to think about what it means to follow Christ. Today, let's take the first part, "he must deny himself."

What does this mean? What does this look like? How can I live this?

I think that maybe this is about our will verse God's. In order to truly follow Christ we must put down our desires and follow God's desires for us. I believe that this part has become especially hard for my generation. With the iPod, iHome, MySpace, iPhone, My Sweet 16 TV show; everything has become about "ME." That is why this first part is so important, the only way to follow Christ is for us to stop worrying about ourselves, if we are going to have a better house or car or cell phone, and start finding out about God's heart. It is so crucially for us to do this first because without doing it first, the rest of the verse will not happen.

What do I need to change or do or stop doing to deny myself?

I think that for me maybe I need to stop trying to make everyone see from my point of view, I need to realize that even if my ideas are good they may not be the best. I need to realize that I am not the end all say all on anything, and God is on everything!
I need to deny my pride, humble myself to God that I might live the greatest life that He has for me!

What do I need to change or do or stop doing to deny myself?