Following Jesus
by Jill Southern
Following Jesus is more than just putting your feet down in someone else’s pathway. True followers of Jesus face great challenges and have great opportunities.
There is a real cost and a real sacrifice when we choose to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus told us we would need to take up our cross daily and follow Him. The challenge is, ‘Is Jesus worth it? Is Jesus worth your sacrifice?’ We all know that the answer to that question is a resounding Yes! But it is not always easy to make the right choice when faced with the temptations of life – many of which can seem very attractive.
We all need to know the fact that God has a dream and vision for each of our lives. And the key to knowing God’s unshakeable call on your life is to get to know God better! Do you really know God? Do you spend quality time with Him? Getting to know God takes time – ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ God will test what’s in our hearts, but the good news is that God will always use what He’s tested.
This `knowing God` is much more than an intellectual knowledge of Him; it’s a deeper understanding than that. In your heart you need to be at peace with yourself, to know ‘I’m OK’. You need to know your uniqueness and giftings - those talents God has given you. You need to know yourself and your abilities - even your limitations.
But above all you need to know the heart of God for you. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29: 11).
Let’s pray as we go through today that when we’re tested, we’ll make the right choices as we follow Him and then come forth as gold.
Prayer: Lord, I present myself afresh to You today. Search me and know my heart, for I desire, with Your help, to walk in Your ways and in Your destiny for my life. Help me to hear Your voice and to know You more. In Jesus name, Amen.
Jill Southern is the founder of Ellel Ministries Pierrepont and directed the work for 21 years. She has recently stood down from that role but still teaches on the NETS programme and has the passion to train and equip God`s people to fully walk in their destiny and calling. She is the Regional Director for Ellel Ministries International in South East Asia and China and is also on the Executive Leadership of the ministry.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
