Last Sunday our sermon was from Mark 8:22-38, where Jesus makes clear that following him means death to self.  As David Cook (the preacher) explained,

‘Only conversion shatters the idol of self’;

2 Corinthians 5:15 tells the Christian that ‘my life is no longer mine’;

‘God has placed His throne where self has been’;

‘I have lost control of my life to Jesus’;

‘A Christian who lives for self is a contradiction in terms’.

What piercing statements.  And along with this death to self, is the certainty that Jesus’ disciples will suffer just as he did.  But God can be trusted; you will not find yourself on the losing side by being His, because He is no man’s debtor (Mark 10:29-31).

Someone who knows this incredibly clearly is Joni Eareckson Tada, and I thought it worth posting the link to the short video we watched of her on Sunday so you can be re-encouraged by her steadfast faith in God’s sovereignty and goodness.  (Joni’s book, A Step Further has been the best and most helpful (and readable!) book I’ve ever read on God’s purposes in suffering in our lives; I can’t recommend it highly enough!)

Click here for the 5-minute video (scroll down to bottom of screen), here for the article Joni mentioned by Dr John Piper called ‘Don’t waste your cancer’, and here for ongoing updates and encouragement re Joni’s medical progress.