You Will Have To Make A Sacrifice for This.

You Will Have To Make A Sacrifice for This by LaKisha M. Johnson

Ephesians 4: 22-24 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

I remember when I read Tom Tenney’s book over 10 years ago, the God Chasers. His book overwhelmed me a little at first, because I had never experienced the power of God like he discussed in this book. I knew people had talked about it, but I had yet seen it manifest in my life. I knew however that I wanted to experience God at this magnitude. I wanted to walk in my purpose and fulfill my destiny and I could tell that in present moment in my life I was only living just a little bit of it. It was only the icing on the cake as they say, not the cake. And while sweet and satisfying it left me wanting me more.

As I began to grow in my relationship with Christ and spend more time alone with Him studying the living Word, I began to notice something in common as I read about all the “greats” that were in the bible. All of them had a commonality amongst them, they had to make a sacrifice. They had to let something go, give something up, move to a different place, operate in a higher level of faith or isolate themselves. Something had to be given up in order for them to tap into “their moment” with God. Abraham had to leave his country (Genesis 12:1-2), Noah appeared foolish when he built the arc (Genesis 5:32-10:1), Sarah in her old age had to believe God that she could conceive (Genesis 18:13) and Jacob wrestled with God all night (Genesis 32:22-32). They all had to make some sacrifice; they all had to operate in a higher level of faith which called them to tap into the fullness of who and what God was in their life. They all had to leave what was familiar to them so that they could fulfill their destiny, so that they could be inserted in their kingdom assignment on earth. I heard something once; someone said to me, “We all want to be a lion, until we have to do what lion’s do”. It’s easy to say we want to be used by God, until we have to make the sacrifice, to be “used by God”. There is no way of conquering our God given destiny, without making a sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifice, will have to be you. Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” In order for you to fit into your kingdom assignment, you need to less like you and more like Christ.

Prayer: Father I know you called me to a higher purpose, a different life in you. There is more that I need and I want to do for you. Show me the places in me that aren’t of you. Teach me how to govern your Word in my daily living, so that I am effective for you. Bless me so that I am a blessing to those around me in Jesus Name. Amen

LaKisha M. Johnson is mom, author, motivational speaker, minister and teacher. She is the host of Coffee and Conversations on “facebook live” Monday-Friday at 5:00 am central standard time and Sundays at 7:00 am central standard time. She hosts a pajama party for women, “Pillow Talk” several times throughout the year, walking them through God inspired truths, while providing a place of vulnerability and transparency to talk. To find out more information on her log on to lakishamjohnson.com and follow her on social media @justbeinglmj.