November 1st

NOVEMBER 1st

As we start the move towards the holiday season let’s recenter our hearts on Jesus. So I have a question for you:

What would you be unwilling to give up to follow Jesus?

Seriously, look at your heart, look at your life. What/who is there in your life right now that you are NOT willing to give up to FOLLOW JESUS?

It may be easy to figure out or you may have to ask the Lord to show you what it is if you really want to know.

It is easy for us to be quick to judge the rich young ruler in Mark chapter 10. But let us not be so hasty.

Mark 10:17-21 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ ” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

So for him, his money was what he was unwilling to give up to follow Jesus. But for this young man it would have been SO worth it. He could have ended up following Jesus, literally! He may have ended up a disciple or a first hand witness of the miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus. His life could have been radically changed forever.

For you it may not be money at all, it may be a relationship, a job, a food or a habit. The question again is: What are you NOT willing to give up to FOLLOW Jesus? Not just be a believer but a follower. What is in your life that you would not give up if Jesus asked you to? What is keeping you from complete surrender to be a follower and not just a believer?

If you surrender that thing, your life could be radically changed forever. You could be a first hand witness to the miracles of Jesus, you could end up following Him. It would be SO worth it!

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will show us exactly what stands in our way, that He will show us exactly what we are unwilling to give up for Him.

Hard truth: The Christian life is not come to Jesus and clean up your life, it is come to Jesus and give up your life. 

What have you been unwilling to give up?

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

One thing that is for sure, if you go all in, you will discover that He will too.

James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

It will not be easy but it will be worth it!

Lord thank you for making a way for me to follow you. Help me to surrender everything and every part to you. Holy Spirit show me what I am holding back or anything that I am unwilling to surrender to you and help me to let go of that. Change my heart so that I want to surrender it to you.