a metallic, wooden or painted "cross" signs or object dangling on scene people's neck adoring some church buildings but the ways and means, denials, afflictions, rejections, sufferings, etc.) that God brings our way and we willingly accept them so that the "self" and its lusts can be dealt with for God's life to be released in and through us. Refer to Matthew 25:1-3, and note that what made the wise virgins wise was that they bought oil in their vessels (i.e. willingly paying price for the Holy Spirit to permeate and deal with their soulish/self-life). The foolish virgins did not consider this necessary though they had oil in their lamps (our spirit - Prov.20:27). However, they were all virgins (typifies Christians). Another scripture that shows us the mind of God in this area of dying to self is John 12:23-25. "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it..." Let me ask you now - since Christ has died for us, why is He still demanding that we die so as to bring forth much fruit (not just gifts). It is not spiritual death, or physical death that is required of us but to die to the self/soulish life so that the life of Christ can captivate our soul, and body also. Remember the transfiguration of Christ, and the face of Moses shinning when he came down from