Category Archives: deny yourself

With an inner click I can be someone else.

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Steve Simms

I can be someone else, not just for a day but for always! “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” When I woke up this morning this poem … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ in you, deny yourself, discipleship, if anyone is in Christ, self-denial | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s love can’t hatch when we’re self-attached.

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Steve Simms

If you deny yourselfAnd let God’s love hatchDeep within your heartIt will strike a matchThat will set you ablazeIn the hazeOf this worldAnd loose the latchOf self-loveThat holds you in bondage. Ego and prideTry to hideIn the shellOf self-love. The … Continue reading →

Posted in deny yourself, die to self, dying to self, Examine yourself, love yourself, self-denial, self-esteem, self-focus, self-forgetting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Self-focus is confusing, not identifying

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Steve Simms

Self-denial’s notSelf-sacrifice,But a pearlOf great priceThat leadsTo paradise. Self-focus blurs everything else. Self is like a telescope. If you focus on it, you won’t see much but if you use it to look beyond it, you’ll see a glorious universe. … Continue reading →

Posted in deny yourself, die to self, dying to self, self, self-denial, self-focus, self-image | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How I realized I’m a mess without Jesus

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Steve Simms

I used to compare my behaviors to the worst human behaviors that I knew about. By that standard I believed that I was a good person with a good inner instrument panel. Then one day I had an encounter with … Continue reading →

Posted in deny yourself, die to self, dying to self, self-denial, sin, sinful heart, sinfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did Jesus say, “Blessed are those who love themselves”?

Posted on September 29, 2022 by Steve Simms

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” not, “Blessed are those who love themselves.” It takes humility, self-restraint, and self-denial to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Pride puts self ahead of neighbor. Self-love doesn’t show us what love is; … Continue reading →

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My selfie (me, not a self-made pic of me) gets me in trouble

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Steve Simms

“Me” is a tiny word that can cause treMEndous problems. An effective way to make yourself unhappy is to go through life continually asking, “Am I happy now? A missionless life is often unhappy. If you really want to pursue … Continue reading →

Posted in a cause beyond yourself, broadcast yourself, crucify yourself, deny yourself, die to self, Examine yourself, finding yourself, love yourself, self, self-assertion, self-destruction, self-destructive behaviors, self-discipline, self-discovery, self-effacement, self-exaltation, self-forgetting, self-forgiveness, self-fulfillment, self-hate, self-image, self-importance, self-indulgence, self-inflicted, self-interest, self-justification, self-mastery, self-medicating, self-promotion, self-regulation, self-respect, self-restraint, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-talk, selfishness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Experience Jesus live!

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Steve Simms

If your life keeps going from gags to glitches, perhaps you need God. There’s no time like when you’re aware of Christ’s presence. Experience Jesus live! To bow before God is to rise above self. Pride is an “I” full … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible reading, Bible teaching, deny yourself, pride, self-forgetting, self-justification, self-surrender, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Appomattox Christianity

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Steve Simms

In 1865 General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, leading to the end of the American Civil War. Christianity is about surrendering. Jesus put it this way: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” … Continue reading →

Posted in be on God's side, church, cross, deny yourself, God is on our side, greatness, history, Jesus, Quotations, Uncategorized, Virginia, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Express yourself or suppress yourself?

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Steve Simms

Contrary to popular opinion, continual self-expression leads to depression, stress, and duress. For example, contemporary culture has opened the door to almost unlimited self-expression, yet, rather than producing widespread happiness and fulfillment, we have some of the highest depression and … Continue reading →

Posted in accept yourself, broadcast yourself, deny yourself, love yourself, self-denial, self-destruction, self-discipline, self-discovery, self-focus, self-forgiveness, self-fulfillment, self-hate, self-help, self-image, self-importance, self-improvement, self-indulgence, self-interest, self-justification, self-medicating, self-regulation, self-respect, self-restraint, self-righteousness, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-talk, self-worth, selfish desires, selfishness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

America needs “J” for JOY

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Steve Simms

I made a “J” (for “joy”) with my hand in front of a map of America. We have relentlessly pursued happiness — but somehow we have missed out on joy. Happiness depends on happy happenings; but joy flows from deep … Continue reading →

Posted in bear one another's burdens, Crazy Love, deny yourself, forgive us our trespasses, hate, hate speech, joy unspeakable, love, Love one another, love your enemies, love your neighbor as yourself, name calling, negative campaigning, race, racial reconciliation, reconciliation, self-denial, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment