THE WISDOM OF SELF DENIAL Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. - Isaiah 26:3 When you trust God, all you get is Peace, I say Rest in the Holy Ghost ! If you practice anything outside the truth of the gospel, You have done nothing but to bring yourself into bondage. I have come to see that division in any community of people always exist because of personal interest, instead of cooperate or common interest. This is why Jesus said if you want to be part of his community, you must lay aside your personal interest, personal interpretaton of the Bible, you must embrace cooperate life, instead of personal life and personal interest. This will enable you to do bigger and greater things for God and his kingdom. Mat_16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Wow, selfishness is so bad that it makes a fool out of a man and leave him not thinking properly though he may think he's smart: but he is nothing but a big/swollen fool !! The force/ passion of selfishness is Strong, It gets things done offending and hurting many. A man that sees through self interest is a blind man and I think this is the problem with some or most of our Leaders in Nigeria. It is a man that is void of personal interest that can truly serve the people well. We have a lot of Good and gifted Men in a places of leadership but their inability to deal with personal interest has made them stain their garment, messing up their good name. Decisions made with personal interest will not be void of fault or blame. Most of what we call ambition, sometimes are personal interest, you belong to a kingdom, you must learn to seek the interest of that Kingdom, instead of your personal interest which you think will bring you glory and fame. You must exist for the kingdom, not the kingdom existing for you.Mat_6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 1Co_10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.