Giving up Everything for the Love of Jesus

Dear Faithful Readers,

  What a great love we share, as we walk closer each day to the Lord Jesus, as we trust Him more and more because we see who He really is, our Creator, and Redeemer. Are you sharing in this great love, or is the world distracting you from Jesus? He is patiently waiting to have your complete devotion and attention. In His great love and patience for each of us, He gives us what we need at the right time so we can grow.  Nothing compares to Jesus, so let Him help you reflect that belief in your life, by giving Him all of yourself, not just a little here, and a little there.

 Elijah called Elisha to follow him by throwing his mantle (cloak) on his shoulders. Elisha seeing he was a man of God obediently dropped everything and immediately followed Elijah and became his successor. But first he asked Elijah if he could go and say goodbye to his family and his old life. Elisha spent the time making sacrifices and feasting with his family and giving up all the things in his life. 1Kings19-21

  This story reminds me of what we as Christians go through when we accept Jesus’ call to follow Him. Once we have accepted Him, we are called to learn about Jesus and all that He has done for us. This training is the work of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us. Then like Elisha, we must give up what our hearts hold so dear and give it to God. Giving them up makes room for Jesus to have complete control in our lives. The amount of time it takes to do this depends on our own free will, and the decisions we make. It depends on if He is able to lead us, or if we are still leading ourselves. This is a training time for our walking with Him in obedience. Each test we pass and lesson we learn moves us on in our spiritual growth so we are able to serve God more effectively. If we still hold on to stuff that God wants us to let go of, we will be hindered in our growth spiritually.

  God may never ask you to literally give up the things or people that are dear to you, but are you willing to stop trying to control these things, and let God be in control? This is the biggest question we all as Christians have to ask ourselves, “Am I willing to give all the control to God?” Believe me, if we truly are willing, God will fill our lives with everything that we need to live full lives for Him. But it takes faith to trust God enough to let Him be in control.

  This process is a spiritual decision we make in our heart and mind. It’s like seeing a situation in your mind and deciding how you would handle it before it happens. What you decide in your heart will tell God what He is capable of using you for in His service. Then you will be able to serve God in a big way, or maybe not so big way, depending on your decision. I don’t know about you, but I am interested in serving God in a BIG way. He knows this because of the decisions I have made in my heart. What is in your heart? Are you willing to give up everything for the love of God? Well if you are, this still takes time to truly be ready to die to self and live for God. He is patient with each of us, and he knows when we are ready to move to the next level of spiritual growth. Are you ready to let Him take the lead, to lead your life now and for all eternity? I AM!!

“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.1Thessalonians 5:23

“You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go, You have the Words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:67-69

“I commit you to God and to the Word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32

Once you know in your heart that Jesus is, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, your heart will desire nothing else but to please Him in all that you do because your love for Him will be far greater than anything in this world.

We will start reading 2Kings 1-17 for three weeks.

Blessing this week,

Love Tricia