Jesus was one who was very pointed and straight speaking about how a Disciple was to live and walk. In one place Jesus said to one who ask Him if he could follow Him: “The Son of Man has no where to lay his head.” In other words, if you follow Me, I have no place to live, so are you ready to forsake all?

In another place, Jesus told his Disciples that the time might come that they would have to forsake their family, their wives, husbands, fathers, mothers, and even ALL THINGS. The point of teaching them this was to discover IF they were willing to give up everything and everyone to follow him.

Well, many modern preachers would be very dogmatic about a husband leaving a wife to follow the Lord. What if the Wife did refuse to Go, as God was calling her husband to Go? Would Jesus have approved leaving her?

Most would say no. Most would say God, would never do such a thing.

Well, I have known many who did never go, just because of a wife or husband who would not go with them. I have known many who stayed home, because they could not leave home and the security of home. They remained where they were, because they truly did not believe that God would call them out to lose any.

Consider the Following verses in which Jesus Speaks about Discipleship:

“Jesus called the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake and the gospel’s will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God].
For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all its pleasures], and forfeit his soul?
For what will a man give in exchange for his soul and eternal life [in God’s kingdom]?
For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels,” Mark 8:34-38 AMP.

It is readily understood from the above verses that Jesus did not hesitate to tell them that one who follows Him must deny himself… and in doing so put his selfish interest away. He spoke of the Cross they must be willing to carry. That meant, were they willing to suffer or even die because of Him and his will for their lives.

Jesus said, “A man who finds his life looses his heavenly life… But he who finds the heavenly life will loose [be willing to give up all the worldly things and life itself] his worldly life.” In other words, one must give up his life and world desires to be a disciple.

Then He asks: ‘What is worth more or what would you give in exchange for your own soul and eternal life?’ Many today cannot even make a simple commitment to God to pray daily or live modestly and somewhat righteously, much less die to self.

Let us take a quick look at what the Apostle Paul said about his search for Christ and his desire to serve him wholly.

Turn with me to Philippians 3:7-14.

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Notice Paul was willing to lose all things, for just the excellency of the knowledge of Christ his Lord. He was willing to suffer the loss of all things, and also to consider them as “dung” [manure], to just win Christ.

After you read and study these words, then you will begin, only begin to understand just what the Lord wants in his Disciples.

He wants our relationship – Yes, that is for sure – and when you find that perfect place of walking with God, you will then find yourself caught up in a lifestyle of being like Jesus.

Jesus was willing to go to the cross, and die…. Suffer, bleed and loose all…. Just to save souls.

 

~ Desert Prophet Ken Dewey

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Evangelist/ Prophet/ Pastor Ken Dewey is the founder of “OUT OF THE DESERT MINISTRIES“ in Belen, New Mexico, USA. He writes on this Web Site, many Prophetic words, Sermons and teachings while leading people into true church settings and preaching in an End Time Gospel Ministry. NOTICE: One of the ways you can get involved in this OUT OF THE DESERT ARMY is to become a PARTNER or to GIVE A DONATION. We are believing God for many more Monthly Partners to stand with us in Monthly Giving and Offerings. IPlease send you pledge to becoming a Monthly Partner or to sow an offering into this Ground. To make a donation to OUT OF THE DESERT MINISTRIES please send to: PO BOX 223, BELEN, NEW MEXICO.