“Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-along with persecutions-and in the age to come eternal life.
Mark 10: 29-30
Abraham left everything to follow God’s call on his life. Moses left everything to pursue the calling that God had placed on him. Noah left everything to follow God’s purposes for him and his family. The early disciples left their boats, their families and their trade to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22). In every circumstance in the Bible where someone made this daring decision, God’s presence and favor increased in their lives; but so also did persecutions, temptations and miscalculations. Brethren, what is God asking you to leave behind today to follow him?
When God asked the rich young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor and then “come follow me.” The rich young ruler went away sad and grieving because he had much property (Mark 10: 17-27). Having money and property is a blessing if it is held in right perspective, but if it becomes and idol that stands between you and God, the idol needs to go.
When the Lord asked Abram to, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” The Bible states, “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him;” Abram did not make excuses he went believing by faith that God was leading and God was in control.
Which of these two stories describes your situation? Only one response pleases God; but it’s a response that must be made with earnest prayer and guidance by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Today God says, “Leave everything and follow me.” What will you do?
Heavenly Father, I need your guidance today, to know what you want me to do. Guide me by the power of your Holy Spirit, so that I will make a decision that brings glory and honor to your Holy and Precious name. Amen.