A friend asked me Reese, what did you have to give up when you first came to know JESUS CHRIST?
I told him everything, when I first started walking with GOD I thought I gave up some things, because I gave up drug dealing, gang-banging, a clothing business, whore mongering, a life of violence, money, cars, and material possessions, but I came to the point where I found out GOD wanted all of me, “everything”, and you must be willing to give up everything to receive everything GOD has to give you!
“And it is a fair exchange with no robbery!”
I gave up a life of going back and forth to the penitentiary for a life of going into the jails to minister the gospel of JESUS CHRIST!
I gave up a life of drug dealing, violence, gang-banging, being a four time felon, going back and forth to prison, being a career criminal, being ignorant, being uneducated, untaught, and unlearned, for knowing the word of GOD, knowing GOD through the revelation knowledge of JESUS CHRIST, and understanding the fullness of GOD in CHRIST JESUS!
I gave up my whole life for the gospel of JESUS CHRIST, the wisdom of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, and the revelation knowledge of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, and GOD is still asking me to give up some things, and I find myself constantly having to lose some carnal things in life, so I can gain the spiritual things of GOD!~
(Romans 12:1-2) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Some people can’t even imagine having to give up everything, but my JESUS/GOD gave up everything.
JESUS gave up the glory, & the presence of sitting at the right hand of GOD, just to come down here & put on flesh just to save the world!
He gave up eternity & put on humility, & became a man, even though he was all GOD, just to save you & me!
And he is not asking any less of us, but people have a tendency of wanting everything from GOD, but they’re not willing to give everything GOD has for them!
(Ephesians 3:17-21) That CHRIST JESUS may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of CHRIST JESUS, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of GOD.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Unto him be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
But they don’t have a problem with giving GOD 10% of their life, they go to church, they pay tithes, they do their religious duties.
But giving GOD their whole life is just impossible for a lot of folks, so they give their 10% to a man thinking they are giving GOD what he wants, & GOD being the just GOD that he is rewards them for their labour, and they get a 10% relationship with GOD, because that’s all they gave him was 10% of their lives……wow…….~
(Luke 18:18) And a rich ruler asked JESUS, good master, what must I do to have life everlasting?
JESUS said to him, why do you call me good?
No one is good but GOD.
You know the commandments, do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honour your father and your mother.
And the rich ruler said have done all these things from my child hood.
And JESUS said to him, you lack one thing: sell everything you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
And when the rich man heard this, he was very sorrowful: because he was very rich.
And when JESUS saw that he was sorrowful, he said, it shall be hard for a rich man who has riches to enter the kingdom of GOD!
For it will be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of GOD.
And the disciples heard it said, who then can be saved?
JESUS SAID, the things which are impossible with men, are possible with GOD.
Then Peter said, LORD, we have left all, and follow you, and JESUS said to them, verily I say to you, there is no man that has left house, or parents, brothers, sisters, wife, or children, for the kingdom of GOD’S sake.
Who shall not receive many more in this present life time, and in the world to come life everlasting!
Brothers and sisters, JESUS just made it very clear that if you give him everything, then you will gain every good thing he has to give you.
And you know you can’t beat GOD at giving!~
Brothers and sisters, In this verse of scriptures JESUS asks the rich young ruler “WHY DO YOU CALL ME GOOD”, THERE IS NONE GOOD BUT GOD!
But JESUS was not saying he was not good or that he was not GOD, JESUS was simply asking the rich young ruler, “WHO TOLD YOU I WAS GOD?”
Brothers and sisters, The rich young ruler goes on and asks JESUS “Good Master, what must I do to have life everlasting?
JESUS SAYS, You know the commandments, do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honour your father and your mother.
And the rich ruler said I have done all these things from my child hood.
And JESUS said to him, you lack one thing: sell everything you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
And when the rich man heard this, he was very sorrowful: because he was very rich.
Brothers and sisters, the rich young ruler claimed he obeyed all the commandments of GOD from his youth, but he did not obey any of the commandments of GOD, because if you break one commandment, then you have broken them all!
You cannot obey all the commandments of GOD, and be filled covetousness, greed, and materialism!
You cannot make an idol out of money, riches, prosperity, and wealth, and then say you love GOD with all your heart, mind, and soul, and not be an idol worshipper!~
(Luke 14:33) JESUS SAYS, So likewise, whosoever he be of you that does not forsake all that he has, he cannot be my disciple.
Letting go!
It can be painful to come to the understanding & know, some things in life you have to let go.
Relationships, loved ones, & friends, the things you care for & know, some things you have to release so you can grow.
It’s like a gardener who plants his seeds for a harvest of roses, the seeds that grow to maturity they shall be chosen.
We were planted, watered, nourished together as seeds, some blossomed into roses, and some withered to become weeds.
There was a bond we had together, relationships were formed as seeds.
Some were friends, relatives, some my own family.
Then I became a rose & some became weeds, the weeds attacked the roses because of purpose & destiny.
As I looked upon the weeds whom I love, I watched them wither as the roses grow.
Wisdom has opened my eyes to see, & my heart so I can know.
Destiny is calling for me, it’s time for me to let go!
A Psalm of letting go “by Reese Kemp!”