CHRISTIAN LIFE calls for denial of the pleasures of this world

I. BELOVED SISTER, you cannot serve God and serve your flesh. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John 2:15-17. Deny sexual immorality. Deny the love of money. Deny pride and show-off. Deny laziness and worldly entertainment. Christianity is not "God understands." Christianity is "I crucify my flesh because I love Jesus." Moses chose affliction with God's people over the pleasures of Egypt for a season. Hebrews 11:25-26—And God honoured him. Sister, what must you deny today? Today I encourage you to understand that sometimes to deny the pleasures of this world, you stand alone—the narrow road is lonely most often. Remember that "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me... Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me..." - 2 Timothy 4:16-17. Sometimes the narrow road will be very lonely; the Lord is definitely with you.

II. DEAR BROTHER, when you refuse to join them to lie, they will leave you. When you refuse to compromise on holiness, they will mock you. When you refuse to bow to their idol, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you will stand alone in the fire. But hear me: It is better to stand alone with God than to stand with multitudes without God. Elijah stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal—and God answered him. 1 Kings 18:22-39. Don't fear loneliness, but rather FEAR CONSEQUENCES OF COMPROMISE. If all your friends are always comfortable with your Christian life, check yourself. The Gospel offends the flesh. Psalm 27:10—"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." The other aspect that we face is that we will face temptations and trials—it is part of the training. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers’ temptations..." - James 1:2. Everyone is tempted; it’s not wrong to face temptation, but our response to temptation is the big issue. Even Jesus was tempted. You may face temptation through your appetite, ambition, and approval. You will be tempted by money, sex, and power, among other issues. But temptation is not sin. Yielding is sin. Denial of the pleasures of this world is a weapon to overcome temptation.

III. CHILD OF GOD, at times you will be rejected—even by your own kind. "If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." - John 15:18. This is the hardest part of the Christian Road: when family, friends, parents, colleagues, siblings, children, the world around you, and people you have been with yesterday reject and give up on you today. Jesus was rejected not by sinners but by Pharisees. Your biggest critics will be church people who love convenience, not the cross. John 1:11—"He came unto his own, and his own received him not." The stone that the builders rejected became the chief corner stone. Psalm 118:22. Rejection is not a sign that God has left you. Rejection is a sign that you are chosen. 1 Peter 2:4. Brother, stay focused and wipe your tears, for you shall not weep forever; God will show forth. God is right there standing with you. Face the Christian journey with boldness through Christ Jesus.

IV. DAUGHTER OF ZION, yes, the road is not easy, but endure to the end, put aside every wait that will distract you, and at the end you will say - "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness..." 2 Timothy 4:7-8. We are encouraged in Revelation 2:10—"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Sister! Remember that in Romans 8:18—"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." If you know what God has in store for you tomorrow, you will deny the short pleasure time for what can last beyond a few minutes. James 1:12 - "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life..." Remember this is a DIVINE NEW DAY PROPHETIC WORD of encouragement sent forth through the authority and power of Christ Jesus and delivered to the brethren through God's Vessel, Francis Ameyibor. Yes! Don't quit in the middle. Endure—because there is a crown. Sacrifice—because there is a throne.

V. 2026 IS OUR YEAR AND SEASON TO BE LIFTED UP—Walk by faith—because faith will become sight. Deny yourself—because you will reign with Him.

Stand-alone—because He stands with you. Face trials—because trials will make you gold. Be rejected - because you are accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I know this road is not easy. Give me grace to endure, to sacrifice, to walk by faith, to deny myself, to stand alone, to overcome temptation and rejection. I will not turn back. I will finish my course. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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