DAY 1 - WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO

Today starts our 40 days of prayer and fasting as a church. Some of you might just be thinking..."What did I commit myself to?" Maybe in this first day you are already questioning your ability to accomplish this task set before you. Allow me to share some revelation that has helped me: IN THE NEXT 40 DAYS, DON'T FOCUS ON CHANGING YOUR BEHAVIOR, MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOCUS ON LETTING JESUS CHANGE YOUR IDENTITY. (David Nasser - A Call to Die)

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me,he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Are you ready and willing to follow after Jesus? Are you ready to let Him change who you are? Are you able to deny your own self...your own pleasures, wants and desires? Think about it this way...when Jesus spoke those words, the disciples around Him actually knew what a cross was and how it was used. And here is this man, our Savior, telling us to take up our cross... doesn't this lead to our death? Reminds me of a few other verses:

Romans 6:11 Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

As you end this first day of your fast, end it by answering these three questions:

1. What does it mean to deny myself?
2. What does it mean to take up my cross?
3. What does it mean to follow Him?