He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.3.30.NASB1995
This verse was my 2023 verse of the year. It is a very difficult verse to live, so difficult that it is also my 2024 verse of the year.
What I have come to know is that to accomplish this,
#1 I had/have to:
humble myself before Almighty God:
But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.4.6.NASB1995James 4:6
#2 I had/have to lay down my will:
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.6.10.NASB1995
#3 Surrender my plans:
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jer.29.11.NASB1995
#4 Surrender my way:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.55.8.NASB1995
Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.14.6.NASB1995
#5 AND My life:
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Galatians 2:20 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.2.20.NASB1995
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Luke 9:23 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.9.23.NASB1995
Fully surrendered. Enslaved to God.
🌹But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
Romans 6:22 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.6.22.NASB1995
Continually Seeking Him,
Continually Seeking Him 