How Far Would You Go for Jesus?

Recently, I was studying the book of Acts and came to the account of Paul's missionary journeys. It challenged me deeply.

How often do we desire to go all out for God only as long as we are comfortable? We are quick to quote Scriptures about God's protection and His faithfulness to keep His own. But what if our journey with Christ requires us to be bound not by satanic chains, but by the chains that bring us before the very people to whom we must declare that Jesus is Lord?

When Paul was warned that he would be bound if he went to Jerusalem, all he could see was an opportunity for the Gospel to be preached. His response was not centered on his comfort or safety. It was as though he was saying, "If only I can get to Jerusalem, lives will be transformed. I no longer see myself; I only see that Jesus must be revealed through me."

Later, while sailing to Rome, there were 276 people on board the ship, yet not one life was lost. Why? Because there was a divine assignment locked up in one man. Paul had to stand before Caesar not to speak his own words, but to declare the word of the Lord.

Many times, we expect God to go the extra mile for us—to make every path smooth, every situation comfortable, and everything work in our favor. Yet God is also looking for men and women who are willing to go the extra mile for Him.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

May our lives be poured out as an offering to Him—not lives we hold tightly to for ourselves, but lives that Christ fully owns.

So, the question remains:

How far would you go for Jesus?

Would Jesus only be loud in your life when everything is going well?

Would you only follow Him as long as the path isn't narrow?

How far would you go for Jesus?

When we make these choices, God not only works in and through us, but He also extends His saving grace to those connected to our lives.

Stay Revived!

Be careful of Shapeshifters.

A word came to my mind after a dream I had: "shape shifter." I began to wonder if it described the person I saw and the transformation that took place.

As I searched for its meaning, I discovered that a shape shifter is someone or something that has the ability to change form, often to deceive others. As I continued studying this, I came across this Scripture:

2 Corinthians 11:14

"And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."

Beloved, a deceptive spirit has been released into the atmosphere. Its assignment is to derail God's children and lead them onto paths that God never designed for them.

These "shape shifters" can appear in the form of people, places, systems, opportunities, or even policies. Their goal is the same to deceive.

To live above this deception, you must guard your perception and sharpen your discernment. Be careful of those who present themselves as friends but reveal a different nature in your absence. Be watchful of those who appear to be light, yet are darkness in disguise.

Today, make it your prayer to ask the Lord to quicken your spirit and heighten your discernment, so that you may recognize deception and walk in His truth.

May God bless you and keep you in His wisdom.

Amen.

Stay Revived!

What Is Resounding in Your Heart?

Recently, I have found myself praying this simple prayer:

"Lord, let my heart not stray. Let my heart not go ahead of You; instead, let it follow as You walk before me."

This has been my sincere prayer—not because I feel I have done something terribly wrong, but because I recognize the tendency of the human heart to desire things that are not aligned with the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

The tendency to say we've forgiven, yet our hearts continue to dwell on the hurt until it becomes evident that we haven't truly let go.

The tendency to hold tightly to every negative experience while allowing the countless positives to slip away unnoticed.

The tendency to forget the good and constantly replay the wrong.

Today, my dear God is questioning your heart as well as mine.

He is asking:

What is resounding in your heart?

"I don't just want you to come to Me; I want you to come with your heart."

Let your heart become the meeting place, because if God has your heart, He can shape your thoughts, influence your actions, and align your life with His will.

Jesus wants it all—your heart.

So, what is resounding in it?

Perhaps we don't truly know the depth of our own hearts. If we did, Scripture wouldn't say that "the heart is desperately wicked." 

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

— Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

Yet that same heart that has the capacity to hold such wickedness also has the capacity to carry extraordinary goodness—if only we allow the One who is the very definition of goodness to dwell within it.

I know you may want to say, "But I'm a good person." Yet instead of counting and recounting our goodness, can we simply pray:

"Lord, have my heart. Search through it until it is able to carry Your goodness, and until You alone are deeply rooted in me."

"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve."

 Jeremiah 17:10

Stay Revived!

Do Not Move with the Idols from Your Father's House.

What is the need of holding on to idols in a place where God desires to work through you and in you?

It may be understandable if you left your father's house carrying some idols, but you must not continue to keep them. Through prayer and a conscious effort to change, those idols must be dealt with.

These idols may not always be physical objects. They can be harmful habits, sinful behaviors, unhealthy attitudes, or destructive patterns that are familiar in your family or bloodline. Although they weigh you down, you may struggle to let go of them, because most you cannot control.

We see this in the life of Rachel in Genesis 31:32–42. When Jacob was running from Leban's house, Rachel his second wife, secretly carried her father's household gods. When Laban searched for them, Rachel pretended not to know where they were. She had physically left her father's house, but she was still carrying what belonged to it.

Likewise, there are character traits, attitudes, and behavioral patterns that have no place in the destination God is taking you. Yes, you have come out of that environment, but you must ensure that the environment also comes out of you. Make a conscious decision not to carry those idols into the next season of your life. 

Beloved, do not move through life carrying the idols from your father's house. As God leads you through life's journey, be intentional about setting aside time for prayer, self-examination, and transformation. Remove everything that could disqualify you from the destiny God has prepared for you. 

So, what should we do?

Search your heart honestly. Examine yourself continually to see if there is anything within you that has the potential to hinder your walk with God or derail your purpose. Ask God to transform you, not only in your actions but also in your character, your thoughts, and your behavior.

God is not only interested in bringing you out of your troubled past, He wants to remove your past from within you and cause you to come into his good.

Stay revived!