THE JOURNEY OF SELF-DENIAL - A FAITH BASED HUMANITARIAN AND EVANGELICAL ORGANISATION

THE HEALING POWER OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE

May 29, 2024

UNION WITH CHRIST IN SPIRITUAL DEATH AND RESURRECTION

May 29, 2024

SERIALISED PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CONNECT YOU WITH THE CHRIST SPIRIT.

THEME: THE MYSTERIES OF THE CROSS

DAY 3 OF 21 SERIES (TUESDAY 28^TH MAY 2024)

TOPIC: THE JOURNEY OF SELF-DENIAL

AUTHOR: MARY LAWRENCE-DOKPESI

SCRIPTURE:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24

THE JOURNEY OF SELF-DENIAL

“Journey into the spiritual depths of self-denial, where the egoic self is crucified upon the cross of divine love. When you surrender your desires and attachments, the soul is liberated to follow the path of union with Christ; Which makes you an instrument of divine grace in the world”.

By, Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi

REFLECTION:

I always ask; ‘what relevance is our EGO, if it doesn’t help our spiritual growth’? The Ego pulls us back from everything we do, not just our spiritual growth. The Ego is the seat of pride in man. It exudes pride, anger, irritation, and craves for relevance in all situations. As long as the Ego is alive, you are dead in Christ, because Christ is meek, humble, forgiving and gentle. Christ says to us today, “Pick up your cross and follow me”. What are those things you must avoid; Too many to enumerate. Just study the life of Jesus, your perfect example; The author and finisher of your faith. Therefore, imitate Christ! Imitation of Christ brings Grace, power and love to flow from our hearts continuously.

MEDITATION: It is time to starve the Ego: Think of why you should deny yourself what the Ego wants. See yourself living a new life of humility, meekness, forgiveness and pouring out yourself to serve the good purpose of others. As you see yourself doing that, make every effort to live like that in real life.

ADDITIONAL VERSE: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” – Matthew 16:25

PRAYER: Father, lead me on the spiritual path of self-denial, where my egoic self is crucified upon the holy cross. Grant me the courage to surrender all that impedes my journey toward union with Christ. May I find true life in your divine embrace. Amen.

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi was born in Nigeria to Patrick Abuda Obeakemhe and Juliana Fatimatu Obeakemhe, both from Ogbona Town. With a master’s degree in law, she was called to the bar at the age of twenty-two, and she is currently the principle partner of the law firm Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi & Associates. She is also the founder of two philanthropic organizations: the Living Waters Mission and the Rose Croix Foundation. In addition to law, Lawrence-Dokpesi was drawn to spiritual pursuits at an early age, having begun studying philosophy, theology, chaplaincy, and spirit therapy by the age of eighteen. Inspired by her spiritual calling, she has produced ten intensively researched manuscripts on spiritual matters. Although Understanding the Spiritual was the last to be written, it is the first to be published. Lawrence-Dokpesi is a mother and a wife living in the city of Abuja, Nigeria.