No shortage of followers of Jesus, hold back from "going all in" in their pursuit of Him, choosing instead to follow Him in a more "off and on" or "here and there" kind of a way more often than not as they fear the cost of truly following Him wholeheartedly. After all, Jesus did say that we would see trouble if we followed Him. However, I would like to point out that while following Christ may, indeed, mean we would see trouble, not following does not mean we would not see it. This world, and our lives, are full of trouble even if we choose not to follow after Him with all we have to offer and give. The difference is, if we make the choice to not go "all in", when the end comes for us, how many regrets will we have over things done or undone. Just something to ponder, if you are a believer.
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It is not the self control you think you may have, or how often you read your Bible, or what church you go to, or how charismatic, attentive or well educated your pastor is that keeps you strong and gives you strength to truly follow Christ. It is the Spirit of the living God who strengthens you and Him alone who does so. No man or woman, not even yourself, can do this ... only the Spirit can do so...everything, and everyone, else is merely a poor substitute for the real thing.
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Finally, two quick quotes:
"It's not what you advertise that counts, it's what you are really made of." ~ Francis Chan (Crazy Love)
"..circumstances do not make men; it is their reaction to circumstances that determines what kind of men they will be" ~ AW Tozer
