DAY 8 UNTIL REVIVE

DAY 8 - TODAY'S DAILY DEVO IN SURRENDERING TO THE POWER OF JESUS

Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.—Matthew 19:21-22 NIV

Spiritual Leadership - What are the results?

In Matthew 19, Jesus tells the "rich, young ruler" that he can be "perfect" if he humbles himself and gives away his possessions. The story tells us that the young man chose not to do this. The word perfect here means "to come full circle, to be complete." By choosing not to follow Jesus Christ, the young man remained "incomplete" and thus lost an opportunity to make changes in the world that his money could never buy. He saw his power in his wealth, rather than what the power of following and serving Jesus could bring him.

Genuine spiritual leadership has powerful results! Jesus began His ministry with twelve disciples. Once He finished training them to be servant leaders, He set them loose on the world. On their first day of ministry, over 3,000 people believed the message about Jesus (Acts 2:41). A few years later it was said of the disciples, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too" (Acts 17:6 NKJV). The results of Jesus' leadership can be seen today in the hundreds of millions of people who call themselves Christians - followers of Christ.

How can you develop spiritual leadership in your life?

First, pray to God for wisdom on how you can become a spiritual leader (James 1:5).

Second, ask God to change your heart and to develop the character qualities in you that are required for spiritual leadership (1 Corinthians 3:4-7; Galatians 5:22-23).

Third, rely on the power of God to give you the strength you need to exhibit spiritual leadership in your life. Philippians 4:13 declares, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Daddy, when it comes to choosing You over money, friends and objects, forgive us where we have failed. Let us boldly choose suffering for You rather that comfort and ease. We might not always understand why you ask us to give up things to serveYou, but Your plans and purpose are always "higher" and better for us. Give us strength today to lay down anything that causes us to stumble. Give us strength today to lay down anything that gets between You and us. Praise Your name and may we always submit to Your will.

Blessings,

Jody