Take Up Your Cross

 Jesus explained that a true disciple not only believes in Him for salvation and the forgiveness of sins, but also trusts Him to break the power of sin in their lives by denying themselves, taking up their cross, and following after Him.
 To deny yourself is not the giving up of things but the giving up of yourself wholly and completely to the Lord Jesus. To deny yourself and Take Up Your Cross has nothing to do with the daily burdens you carry or problems you may have to face. It is to live for Christ and to fully identify with every aspect of His rejection, shame, suffering, and death.
 But never forget that the suffering we bear for our Savior will one day lead to glory. Let us choose to live each day for Christ, knowing that since we have been crucified with Christ: "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 us and gave Himself up for us." 
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we want to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and identify with our Savior. Help us not to live for ourselves but rather to live for You. Help us lose our lives for Your sake, knowing that this world holds nothing of value but that to follow You will result in the greatest reward. In Jesus' name we Pray, AMEN.