Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24 – 25
Matthew 16:24 – 25
Some time ago, I had an unexpected and enlightening visitation of the Lord. At the time it happened, I was praying about the last days’ outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I was hungering for more of God, not just for myself but for all people. I was desiring the spiritualoutpouring upon “all flesh” that is spoken of in Joel 2:28.
As I prayed, I kept asking God to “come down,” when suddenly I heard Him speak to me in my heart. I’ve already come down, He said. You come up. His words startled me. “What do you mean, Lord?” I asked. “What must I do to come up?”
Give your all to Me, He answered. Give yourself to Me. Don’t just give Me this thing or that thing. Don’t come to Me simply to get My wisdom so you can carry out your plans. I want you to get self out of the way. I want you to practice giving yourself to Me.
Since then, I’ve been obeying those instructions. When I come to God I say, “Lord, I give You all of me. I give You my heart. I give You my mind. I give You My hands, my feet, my eyes, and my mouth. I surrender my whole self to You.”
Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:37–39
Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
Excerpt permission granted by Lynne Hammond Ministries