I GAVE UP my PRIZED POSSESSION!

 

If you were asked to give up YOUR GREATEST POSSESSION ... WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I remember like it was yesterday when Stephanie and I gave away or sold MOST of our STUFF. That was 2018. We moved into our Fifth Wheel the year before we retired. Everything we owned fit into a FIFTH WHEEL and a 1 Ton pickup truck. NOW, 7 years later, we once again have ACCUMULATED a bunch of STUFF. Now don't get me wrong, our possessions are not evil. But, what we do with our wealth says a lot about us as followers of JESUS and I have to constantly reflect and ask the question, DO I REALLY NEED THIS STUFF? There is no doubt my most PRIZED POSSESSION is my motorcycle. I would really struggle with physically giving it up. 

The book of Revelation is powerful in calling us to examine our lives and examine our hearts. There is ONE THING THAT IS SURE. (No it is not death or taxes! LOL) Yes, the one thing that is sure is JESUS is COMING BACK! We may physically die first. But, Jesus is still coming back and he is coming back with a SWORD of JUSTICE in his hand. And when he returns all the STUFF we have ACCUMULATED will be MEANINGLESS, that includes my motorcycle!

 Read what is says in Revelation 18:

"'The fancy things you loved so much are gone,' they cry, 'All your luxuries and splendor are gone forever, never to be yours again.' The merchants who became wealthy by selling her these things will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will weep and cry out, 'How terrible, how terrible for that great city! She was clothed in finest purple and scarlet linens, decked out with gold and precious stones and pearls. In a single moment all the wealth of the city is gone!" (Revelation 18:14-17, NLT)

Do I really need all the stuff I possess? Of course we know the answer is no. Am I clinging on to stuff MORE than I CLING TO JESUS?

In some ways, as I have made this transition to full-time ministry, God has asked me to give up my motorcycle. It is still parked in the garage, but it doesn't see the road nearly as much as it used to. The long trips across country, the motorcycle rallies, and the secular events are a thing of the past. I have to admit that has been a bit of a struggle, being pulled between the OLD calling and the NEW!

I stepped away from that season because God has called me to change focus. I have willingly given that up in this SEASON because God has filled me with a desire to help others to find their own "BIKERS" to minister to. My greatest desire is to help people go into the world in SEEKING PERSONS OF PEACE, people open and ready to hear from the LORD, and making them DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES.

I am still grappling with how I can continue to use my love of motorcycles, my love of bikers, my love of "street evangelism" my love of GOING OUT into the community, while caring for a FLOCK. I believe God has a desire for me to merge these two into one. I trust him. I don't know how all this will happen but I feel strongly that God has a plan that will expand his Kingdom as the TIME OF HIS RETURN DRAWS NEAR!

I PRAISE THE LORD for his wonderful MYSTERIOUS PLAN and I am humbled to play a small role in his kingdom work. The stuff I have is meaningless in light of his LOVE, GRACE, and MERCY and his IMMINENT RETURN.

 I GAVE UP my most PRIZED POSSESSION to follow his plan. I know, I haven't completely given it up. Yet, the change of priorities makes me feel like I have been called to give it up. 

PLEASE PRAY for Stephanie and I. Pray that we will follow his perfect plan. Please pray that we will be effective in reaching out to the community for HIS GLORY!