PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Sep
22

Really? Give it ALL up?

Rod Shimabukuro

Scripture

And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. Luke 5:11

Observation

Simon, James and John had a radically life changing day. Not only their occupations were altered, their lives would take a turn into an eternal calling as disciples of Jesus. It wasn’t an astute businessman with a masters degree in strategic leadership that Jesus invited into His camp. Not that these 3 weren’t wise, but it seems to me Jesus illustrated choosing the “common.” Again, not that doctors, lawyers, CEO’s and other skilled and trained professionals are any less than. No way. But it can be true that those steeped in themselves; the success driven, assertive, “I’m going to make something of myself” professional - can hinder their own hearts from an eternal calling.

Application

Pursuing the eternal calling. Saying YES to Jesus can mean leaving behind what I’ve been trained for, lived for, went to school for, etc. I get so stirred to desire to “GIVE UP ALL OF MY LIFE FOR JESUS!” It’s quite a process through. In this moment, I once again feel trapped by my internal pursuits for success, pleasure, satisfaction of materialism. There seems to be so much more “worldliness in me” after 30 years of knowing and growing in Christ.

I want to say I’m going to live differently - but today I pause, in conviction and meditation of the fact that my tendency is to NOT LEAVE EVERYTHING to follow HIM fully. It’s an internal conviction thing going on. My desires for comfort, retirement, pleasure trips/vacations, wanting the “latest upgrades” in life seems stronger than it should be at this stage in my walk with Jesus.

I just need to keep repenting and searching my heart!

Prayer

Dear Spirit of God.

Make me miserable when I pursue pleasures or anything not of Your best for my heart and life. Thank you - Thank You… for Your abiding love and conviction to follow You fully! Please, Please Forgive ME… for my wicked, worldly, selfish, self centered thoughts, ways and motives!

I receive Your conviction and Please help me to obey Your call… to leave ALL to follow You! I love YOU LORD JESUS.

Really? Wuld I dare to give it ALL up for You?


Devotions for September 22

Daniel 9,10
Psalms 123
Luke 5

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