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Matthew 10:38-39 (NLT)
38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.
39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

In order to experience the life of a successful businessman, entrepreneur, athlete, musician, leader, parent, etc., it will require leaving the life of the couch potato for that of a disciple with tenacious endurance against all opposition to that success. It is not enough to just claim a position or status without having first completed its prerequisites. That claim will have no worth or practical value until it has been successfully proven. 

While we've been given a free gift of life in Christ, the wonderful status it comes with is fully known as the old worldly life joins Him on the cross. With each taking up of our cross, there is letting go of those old things that would devalue the worth of our precious life in Him. 

With each moment of flesh denial, there is a departure from the life it would demand for the one Jesus purchased for us. There is a great exercise in the time of fasting, but its purpose for developing endurance against the real-life opposition we'll encounter. True discovery of Him comes with intentionally losing the old for this incredible free life in Him. 

Meditation

Fasting:

"As a child of God, my choices are Spirit led seeds of blessing, as the cursed flesh ones are denied and put to death."
Galatians 6:8, Romans 8:12-14


Praise:

"I praise You, Lord, for the glory of Your grace that has made me accepted in Christ - chosen, holy, and without blame in His love."
Ephesians 1:6
 

Identity:

"Since I have been justified by the blood of Jesus, I have been made right with God and saved from all wrath and condemnation."
Romans 5:9-10


Understanding:

"I have been given a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ. The eyes of my understanding are enlightened to know the hope of His calling, my rich inheritance, and the greatness of His power."
Ephesians 1:17-19
 

Wholeness:

"You sustain and strengthen me on the bed of sickness."
Psalm 41:3
 

Provision:

"I delight myself in the Lord and He gives me the desires of my heart."
Psalm 37:4

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