Christ Must Increase. I Must Decrease.Sample

[IMAGE CONTENT] DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? Back to the restaurant story from day one... An arm extended out from one of the men in suits. It shook wildly like one of those inflatable-tube-man balloons that flail around advertising something. The man's fingers began to snap loudly to get the waiter's attention. When the waiter finally approached, the man angrily shouted, "Do you know who I am?" In addition to nixing pride, decreasing ego, and increasing humility, the "Me Monster Diet" stresses taking the spotlight off ourselves and putting it on Jesus, the One and only, most important "I AM." Take a look at Jesus' "I AM" statements from the gospel of John: > "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35). > "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12). > "I am the gate for the sheep." (John 10:7). > "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11). > "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." (John 11:25). > "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). > "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." (John 15:1). No one on earth can claim to be all that! God is the only One who can accurately describe Himself as the "I AM." We falsely claim self-sufficiency and sovereignty over ourselves when we focus on the human "I am" statements (I am the greatest, most vital, best) and not on Jesus. Begin to live in the freedom that all of Jesus' "I AM" statements offer! It will help you grow in faith, trust in Him, and not in yourself and your abilities, strength, and understanding.