Luke 14:26-33 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]—he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a watchtower [for his guards], does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is unable to finish [the building], all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’ Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one who is coming against him with twenty thousand? Or else [if he feels he is not powerful enough], while the other [king] is still a far distance away, he sends an envoy and asks for terms of peace. So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost and then for My sake] give up all his own possessions.

I remember back when the Lord was leading me into Fullness of Joy Ministry. It didn’t even have a name back then. I was doing a ton of deliverance sessions, I had started doing teaching videos, our online community was growing, and He had given me the outline for a book to write. Back in those days I didn’t even call it a ministry. I wasn’t sure what to call it and my dad would always tell me, “just say it, you are in ministry.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be in ministry it was more that I did not want to call it something God had not told me to call it. I so much did not want to step out of His will that I kind of went to a place of dragging my feet in calling it what it was—ministry. Once I finally got on board and called it ministry the name came several months later.

It was during those early days the Lord started speaking to me about counting the cost of ministry and in following Him with my life sold out to Him. When He asked me if I had counted the cost and was willing to move forward in laying my life down to fully follow Him I immediately said “yes of course Lord I will do anything for You!” But He really impressed upon my heart to pause and take a look at my life, my future, and what the cost to be paid really meant.

I saw two different directions my life could take. One would be way more comfortable. I would serve Him, but quietly and without much pushback from anyone. The other would be to sale out for Him totally, be willing to do anything He asked of me, continue in the ministry, and be bold for His truth no matter what it cost me. I would lose friends, people would laugh at me, I would get called names, at times I would be hated, it would be the opposite of comfortable, I would be lonely at times, I would be misunderstood, and I would face a lot of spiritual warfare.

I sat with the heaviness of what He was placing before me, but in my mind there was only one response. I had to go all in and by going all in I had to lay my life down at His feet, and I have to continue laying my life down at His feet. My flesh does not like laying down at His feet so it is an ongoing battle, but it is one that is required in order to live all in for God.

I was reminded of the scripture in Romans 12:1.

Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

We, as follower of Christ, have a choice. We can choose to live a safe, comfortable, even lukewarm life. God will never make us give up anything for Him. He asks us to give up things, but He will never make us. He does not make us obey Him. It is a choice we make every single day of our lives. We choose our level of obedience. We choose how we are going to live for Him. We choose what we are willing to give up for Him.

I want to encourage you to ask yourself what you are willing to give up for Him? Have you counted the cost and what did you decide to do with your life? Did you choose a life of comfort or a life of laying yourself down at His feet?

Today is the day to be bold for the Lord. Can you imagine what this world would look like if we all continually lay our lives down for the Lord and answer His call! We (Christians) could turn our world upside down for His purposes! Look at the lives of the disciples and the impact they had everywhere they went! We could do the exact same thing.

What is one thing you can do today to get out of your comfort zone? What has He been calling you to do, but you have been dragging your feet?

Start that prayer group, start speaking the truth everywhere you go, fast, pray, read the Word, study the Word, change old negative patterns, be the example of Christ you were created to be, crucify your flesh, step into the calling God has created just for you!!!

Please do not think I am writing this from a place of always being where I want to be in my walk with the Lord. I am just like every single one of you. There are times I get off track, God gets my attention, and I get back on track.

It is not easy to live a life of being on fire for God. We have to keep that fire burning, deal with spiritual warfare, deal with our flesh, and stay connected to God in a personal relationship. It isn’t easy, but it all goes back to what do we really want—a life of comfort or a life that makes a difference for the kingdom of God.

I don’t know about you, but I owe Him everything and the best I can give Him is my time, dedication, love, obedience, and my yes to whatever He asks of me.

If you struggle in this area please feel free to message me at fullnessofjoyministry@gmail. com I would love to offer you Godly support!!

Blessings,

Nichole Henson

Fullness of Joy Ministry