WHAT JESUS REALLY WANTS

To get the most out of today's devotion, do the following in order:

1. READ THE PASSAGE - Mark 10:21 (NKJV)  Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 
2. READ THE DEVOTION - My Utmost for His Highest, September 28 (Link will open in a new window)
3. READ MY THOUGHTS

Ok.  The instructions are above.  Have you followed them?  Yes?  Good.  My thoughts springboard off of today's devotion by Oswald Chambers.

Total abandonment to, total reliance upon, total trust in Jesus Christ - that is the demand of Jesus upon our hearts, minds, and lives.  No mere human is worthy of such devotion, or able to rightly make such a demand upon another.  Marriage is about as close as we can come, but it falls short.  Neither husband nor wife can be as fully trusted, perfectly able, or eternally strong enough to successfully NEVER let us down.  And so we need someone above that - and Jesus Christ, the Divine Son of God, is the ONLY one with the character, power, and knowledge to be trusted to our entire being, our soul, and even life itself.

So what keeps you, o soul, from giving to Christ your total "self"?  What doubts, fears, or worries keep you from giving your whole being to Jesus?  

• Do you fear other people?  Could it be that you worry they might mock you?  Will your popularity ratings drop dramatically?  Could persecution be in your future?  
• Do you fear the loss of material comforts?  Do you need your electronics, nice bed, air conditioning/heating, automobiles, and nice house?  Do you need a pantry full of food?  Do you need the latest tools, gadgets, and the like?  Would following Jesus with total abandonment mean the loss of these things?  
• Do you fear emotional rejection?  Do you need constant approval, someone to always be by your side?  Do you need someone else to be your purpose for living?

If Jesus said to you, "It's me or other people."  What would be your choice?

If Jesus asked you, "Do you trust me to provide your needs?"  What would be your answer?

If Jesus asked you to rely upon Him for your emotional well-being, could you?  Would you?  

Would abandonment to Him give your life a purpose higher than even life itself?

Place yourself NOT in the "Holy-Roller Self-Righteous Church" of the rich man who has kept every part of the law, and in the mean time, kept himself from abandoning everything to have a dependent relationship with Jesus Christ.  Instead, join the "Abundant Abandoned Living Church" that lives with and serves Jesus without obstacles!

And that's Just A Thot for today.

Your comments are welcome, and encouraged.  Please share today's devotion with anyone who might be blessed by it.