 I wanna share something with you that strong Christians know about their faith. This is gonna be a very simple message and I pray it will challenge you to go to deeper places in your walk with God. But first, I want you to write in the comment section right now, make a public commitment, write these three simple words, no turning back. Here is what strong Christians know about their faith. They know that their faith is long-term. They've made up their minds that they are in it for the long run. Now I wanna make sure I balance this thought before we elaborate on it. We have to understand that God is the one who is doing the work in us. The Holy Spirit is the one who is sanctifying us. We receive salvation by grace through faith. God, because of his grace, allows us, empowers us to have faith and that faith causes us to step into the righteousness of Christ. So we understand that God ultimately is the one who is doing the good work. However, you and I must cooperate by our free will with the work of the Father. He is the potter, we are the clay. We must allow him to mold us in any way that he sees fit and this mindset will help you through troubled times. This mindset will produce longevity in your walk with Christ. Once you realize, and this is the mindset, once you realize that this is long-term. Many believers, when they give their lives to Jesus, they begin with this mindset as if they're testing the waters. They say things like, well, I'm gonna give this a try and if it works out, we'll see what happens then. Now, granted, some people do start with that mindset and of course, because of the grace of God, they end up changing that mindset but we must develop the mindset. We must develop the committed heart, this idea that we are going to be in this for the long term and sometimes that may be difficult for you to picture. Many believers have difficulty picturing themselves still serving God 30, 40 years from now because of the struggles and the trials that they're facing today but remember this, our confidence is not in our ability to perform. Our confidence is in God's ability to perfect. God will hold on to you. As you surrender to the Holy Spirit, as you allow the Holy Spirit to guide your life and as you cooperate with the process of sanctification and as you yield your will to him on a daily basis, he will continue to do that work and even give you the desire for deeper levels of surrender and as we do this, we become transformed and so when we begin to rely on the goodness of God, when we begin to rely upon his power, then we begin to receive the hope for the future because we understand that because God is involved in the process, because God, I should rather say is in charge of the process, we're going to make it long term. As I mentioned, many believers struggle with this. They don't really see themselves years from now and they wonder if they're even gonna make it past this year. Some of you might even be wondering if you're gonna make it through the week. Let's just be honest here, someone could be watching right now and maybe this teaching was something you're receiving and you said, Lord, I need something. Lord, I need some kind of strength. Lord, I need some kind of refresher because I don't even know if I'm gonna make it through today. Well, the Holy Spirit is faithful to empower you. God is faithful to guide you. Let's read a portion of scripture here. Go with me now to Luke chapter nine. I'm gonna read verses 57 and onward. As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, I will follow you wherever you go. But Jesus replied, foxes have dens to live in and birds have nests, but the Son of man has no place even to lay His head. He said to another person, come, follow me. The man agreed but said, Lord, first let me return home and bury my father. But Jesus told him, let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the kingdom of God. Another said, yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say goodbye to my family. But Jesus told him, anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not for the kingdom, is not fit, excuse me, for the kingdom of God. Here, Jesus is describing a very specific kind of commitment to discipleship, to the process of following Him, to responding to the call, to fulfilling your kingdom duties. And so as we make this commitment, we have to remember this is for the long-term. This is for the rest of my life. You see, from the very start, Jesus demands the entirety of your world. Yes, salvation is free. I'm not even talking about that right now. I'm talking about your commitment to the kingdom of God. I'm talking about you fulfilling your kingdom task. I'm talking about you walking in the purpose for which God created you. I'm talking about you stepping into heavenly authority and destroying the works of the devil, laying down your life unto the glory of God for His perfect use. From the very beginning, He demands it all. We give up our lives not to earn salvation, but as an offering to God thanking Him for having saved us. And so when it gets difficult, we remember that commitment. And again, I wanna make sure that this is clear. I know I mentioned this earlier, but I value you too much to leave you in any kind of confusion or even an opportunity for confusion. I want to make sure that I'm emphasizing that God is the one who is in charge of the process, that God will keep you. Yes, of course. But there's something about having this mindset that helps you to walk in that grace long-term. And this is surrender. This is yielding. This is participating. This is walking by faith in the commands of God as He speaks them. The mindset that says, even when it gets difficult, I know He's still hanging on to me. And therefore, I'm gonna still commit to the call of God. I'm going to still commit to my Christian duties. I'm not going to abandon my post even when times get difficult. I'm not going to abandon my responsibilities as a child of God, as one of God's heavenly ambassadors in the earth just because things get difficult, because sometimes maybe temptation arises and the cravings of the flesh remind you of the pleasure of sin. And you say to yourself, well, I sort of miss this or I sort of miss that. And you look back on your old life, forgetting the torment, forgetting the shame, forgetting the guilt, forgetting all of those things that brought about brokenness within your humanity. And instead focusing on just the pleasure, there may be a part of you, and this is not your true identity, this is the flesh, there may be a part of you that longs for yesterday, that longs for those things that the flesh craves. There may be a part of you that longs for the simpler times where the responsibilities maybe weren't so heavy. Still, you made a commitment to the kingdom of God. You made a commitment to ministry. You made a commitment to service. And I'm not saying that the strength comes from that willpower alone, but I am saying that the right mindset helps you to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. When it gets confusing and you have questions, maybe you face a tragedy that you don't quite understand. Maybe there's a circumstance that doesn't seem to be fitting for the way you lived. Maybe you do the right thing and the right thing seems to put you in the wrong place and you throw up your hands and say, God, I thought I did what was right. Why does nothing seem to be working out now? And many times because of this sense of entitlement, and it is a misplaced sense of entitlement, we think that God is obligated to act on our behalf in whatever way we choose. And because of that mindset, we say, well, I don't know how much longer I can do this. I don't know how much more I can endure. I don't know if I can take another trial. I don't know if I can take another attack. My friend, I wanna encourage you to remember that not only is this a lifelong commitment, but this is a lifelong commitment that the Holy Spirit gives you the power to fulfill. You're not going to fail. You're not going to faint. You're not going to give up. You're not going to backslide. You're not going to go back to your old ways. You're not gonna return to your old habits. You're not going to return to your old mindsets. The Holy Spirit is giving you the power and strength of the truth of the word of God to fulfill the commitment. He's giving you now supernatural strength to move forward, keep the faith, keep the mindset, press toward the prize, fight for that faith. And in so doing, you will see the faithfulness of God. Take another step, even when you don't think you can. Do another action in the spirit, even when you feel like you don't have the strength, do the next thing. I want you to write that in the comment section right now. Do the next thing. When you have questions and you have doubts, when you have temptations and you have trials, when you're facing tragedies that make no sense, do the next thing. When God requires of you sacrifice of the blessing, when God requires that you give up your dreams to pursue his will, when God requires that you go left when you want to go right, when God requires that you change your plans, even plans that you've had in place for a long time, do the next thing because you're not going to quit. It's not an option. You can't go back. Where else can we go? Who else has the words of life? Once we've tasted the goodness of God, we've been ruined for any other pleasure. Once we've known the reality of his presence, we've been ruined for the counterfeit. And now that we know the real thing, everything within us must purpose to follow after the destiny that God has designed us for. Make the sacrifice, keep going. If you have the questions, ask your questions, but keep going. If you have some doubt, have your doubt, deal with the doubt, but keep going. If your heart is broken into a million pieces because of some tragedy or disappointment that you're facing, have your heart be broken, but keep going. Doubt, questions, confusion, sacrifice, difficulty. Keep going. The Holy Spirit will empower you. I think of the lepers who stepped out into the camp and the Lord took the steps of the lepers and made them sound as if they were chariots and soldiers and horses. God added to the step of the lepers. They didn't know what was before them. Nothing behind them was worth anything anymore. They counted everything behind them as lost. They counted everything behind them as gone. And moving forward, they didn't know whether they were walking into captivity or walking into death or perhaps walking into sustenance. All they know is they step forward and God supernaturally added to their steps. When they took a step, God took a step. When they took a step, God added a thunder from heaven to their steps. These weak lepers, weakened body, frail, hopeless, discouraged, with every step that they took, God added grace to them. With every step that they took, God added the divine supernatural backing of heaven upon those steps. And they took the next step, do the next thing. Do the next thing when you can't see what's ahead. Do the next thing when you don't understand what God is doing. Do the next thing when you have theological questions. Do the next thing when it seems like your prayers aren't being answered. Do the next thing when you feel stuck in ministry. Do the next thing when your marriage is failing or seems to be failing. When there's trouble in your family. When there's an addiction that you seem to be bound by that you just can't break. Do the next thing. Do the next thing that's before you and leave the rest to God. In first Kings chapter 19 versus 19 and onwards, the scripture says, So Elijah went out and found Elijah, the son of Shaphat plowing the field. So here we see the prophet finding his heir, if you will, or his protege, his mentee. There were 12 teams of oxen in the field and Elijah was plowing with the 12th team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. Elijah left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah and said to him, first let me go and kiss my father and mother goodbye and then I will go with you. Elijah replied, watch this now, this is so key. Go on back, but think about what I have done to you. I'll read verse 21 in just a moment. So here we see the prophet, Elijah, calling by God's authority his replacement, Elijah. Elijah was destined to receive the double portion that rested upon Elijah. And so he throws his cloak across his shoulders as he's there in the field. And when Elijah asked to go and say goodbye to his parents, Elijah says to him, you can go and do that, but I want you to think about what I've done to you. In other words, I want you to consider the way to the responsibility that now lays before you. I want you to consider the task at hand. I want you to consider the profound implications of the mantle that you are about to receive. I want you to count the cost. I want you to weigh what is now before you. I want you to consider that path you're about to embark on. And then I want you to act. And so when we follow Jesus, we have to make sure we count the cost. We have to make sure we consider the implications of what God has called us to do. Again, I'm not talking about salvation. That comes by grace through faith. I'm talking about the fulfillment of the destiny that God has for you. I'm talking about the work of ministry. I'm talking about your calling. I'm talking about kingdom expansion. I'm talking about surrendering your life as a tool in the hand of God. Lord, I'm a drink offering. Pour me out every last drop. Lord, I offer my life as currency in your hand. Spend me for your glory. So watch this now in verse 21. Look what Elisha does. So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. This was his livelihood. These were the means of production. This was the equipment for his business. Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build the fire to roast their flesh. So then now he even burns the plow. He passed around the meat to the townspeople and they all ate. Then he went with Elisha as his assistant. Here we can see that in fact, Elisha did properly weigh the cost. We see that Elisha did obey the instruction of Elisha to go and consider what he had done to him. And we know he had considered it because of the actions that he took. He made it so that there was nothing to return to. When you choose to follow Jesus, there is no backup plan. When you choose to follow Jesus, only he is the safety net. You cannot say, Lord, I'll follow you, but just in case I leave this on reserve. Lord, I'll obey you, but just in case I'll have this in my hand. Lord, I'll do what you're telling me, but as a means of protecting myself, in the future, I'm going to keep this arrangement just so so that I feel better. That shows your trust is not in God. Your trust is in your own planning. Your trust is in your own ability. Your trust is in your own resources. You know what the scripture says, right? Trust in your money and down you go. That's what the Bible says. And so you burn the plow, no turning back. What does that look like for you? I don't know what it looks like for you. Could be a number of different things. Maybe burning the plow for you, this is for someone right now. I'm gonna challenge you here. Maybe burning the plow for you is deleting that phone number. Maybe burning that plow for you is breaking off that connection. Maybe burning that plow for you is quitting that job, moving to that different location, sowing that financial seed, starting that ministry, starting that channel, saying no to what you want, saying yes to what God wants. Maybe burning the plow is something material. Maybe burning the plow is something practical. Maybe burning the plow is something in your heart. You've gotta let go of the bitterness. You've gotta let go of the unforgiveness. And I know it may sound cruel and unfair, but none of us have the excuse to hold on to unforgiveness. And no situation justifies the holding on to unforgiveness. You have to do it. You have to burn the plow. Because somewhere in the back of the mind some believers leave on reserve this exit strategy just in case it doesn't work out. But you as a follower of Christ, if you're gonna be committed, you have to have this mindset, this mindset about your faith, which is it's for the long term. And this is the mindset. This is what strong believers know about their faith. It's for the rest of your life. It's not something that you're just going to try as a free sample. It's not something that you're just going to test to see how it works out. It's not just something that you're going to experiment with. No, this is it. Your entire life, God use it. Your entire life, God it's yours. Your entire life is in his hands. You have to follow Jesus. Even when no one else goes with you. I know that I know that I know that this is impacting someone right now from the word here. Not because I'm saying it, but because it's biblical truth. You have to follow Jesus even when no one else goes with you. Second Timothy chapter three, verse 12 says, in fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted. You know that when you follow Jesus, people will persecute you. But you know, sadly, who most often will persecute the believer? Their loved ones, their family, their friends, their coworkers, fellow students, people who are nearest you are the ones who persecute you. Maybe your family can't understand why you're so committed to Christ. Maybe your friends are bothered by the fact that you're so committed to the things of God. You won't stop talking about Jesus. You won't do the things that you used to do. You won't say the things that you used to say. You won't go to the places that you used to go. And really what is happening is they feel like they're losing you, but more importantly, what's actually happening is the light that is shining within you is irritating to the people who are in darkness. Now, this doesn't mean that there isn't something pleasant about a Christian testimony. I'm not saying that we're called to be obnoxious to those who are unsaved. If that's what you think it means to be the light, you need to go back and study what the light is. But light by its very nature is disturbing to one who's remained in the darkness for a long time. So you don't need to add to that irritation by being obnoxious or pushy or mean or rude or cruel or insulting or condescending. No, instead you demonstrate that love. You show them Jesus and there will be some who will look at that light and be drawn to it. And then there will be some who will look at that light and they will hate you for it. Because the light in your life is exposing the darkness in theirs. The holiness in your life is exposing the sin in theirs. Your high standard is challenging their low standard. And you have to say within your heart, I will follow Jesus even if my parents don't. I will follow Jesus even if my spouse doesn't. I will follow Jesus even if my children don't. I will follow Jesus even if my childhood friends won't. You have to follow Jesus no matter who goes with you. This is the call, this is the challenge. This is the divine invitation to follow Jesus and not look back, to follow Jesus and recognize that this is long-term. Even when no one else goes with him, I will follow Jesus. You can take anything and anyone. Just give me Jesus. Well, didn't Jesus say that if you truly love him, if you truly wanna follow him, that you must hate your father or mother, and this isn't saying that you must be cruel or disrespectful. Here it's talking about by comparison or rejecting them in favor of accepting Christ. So if following Jesus is going to cost you something, you take Jesus instead. So he's not saying be hateful. Again, this is by comparison. To prioritize Jesus, not, hear me now, not as a priority, but as the priority. Jesus doesn't want to be a main thing, he wants to be the only thing. The focus of your life, the center of who you are, the purpose of your existence, Jesus. Make up your mind, make up your mind now. Who is Jesus to you? Who do you say that I am? Who is Jesus to you? Is he just a good teacher? Was he just a prophet? Was he just a spiritual leader, a prominent historical figure? Or is Jesus who he claimed to be? Make up your mind. Choose this day whom you will serve. And once you've made up your mind, you have to know. It's for the long term. You surrender that wheel, you yield yourself as an offering unto God, a living sacrifice. Precious Jesus, I pray you help us do it by your Holy Spirit. I want you to begin right now in the comment section as I pray to write those things that you're surrendering to him now. Just say, Jesus, I give you and then write what it is. Father, help us to be strengthened in our resolve to follow you. Holy Spirit, breathe upon our commitment to you. Be our constant, ever-present reminder. We belong to Jesus. May we become reflections of that marvelous light in such a way that others are drawn to us. And by being drawn to us, they're ultimately pointed to Jesus. Let us be signs that point to Jesus. I sense such a strong anointing right now. Lift your hands and receive that. Father, help us to have that mind of total commitment to you. Help us to never look back. Jesus, we honor you, we bless you, we praise you. And in your name, we submit this prayer. I want you to write it because you agree with it, right? Amen. Listen, if you think other Christians need to hear this message, and I want you to help me out by leaving a like on the teaching, you never know who's going to see this message simply because you left a like. So help us out in that way. And also, let's stay connected. Subscribe to my channel right now so that you can continue to receive my teachings from the Holy Spirit Prayer and Spiritual Warfare, as well as the live streamed events where the power of the Holy Spirit moves and people are saved, healed, delivered, and empowered. Now, I want to ask you to get involved with the work of the kingdom. I know that when the video teaching is done, it's tempting to go and click on something else. But I want you to focus your mind here for a second. I want you to stabilize now and at least here the challenge I'm putting out there. We have a responsibility as believers to ensure that the gospel is spread around the world. That is the divine task that God has given to you and I. Now, we all contribute to that in different ways. And one of the ways that every believer can contribute is through prayer and financial support. 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You can do this by going to davidhernandezministries.com slash partner, you can sign up for a monthly gift of $10, $25, some can do 50 or 100 a month, others can do even more than that. But whatever you do, I'm asking you to go right now to the website and say, Lord, what would you like me to do? And you can sign up for our automatic giving plan again at davidhernandezministries.com slash partner. You can also give a single gift by going to davidhernandezministries.com slash donate. We accept currencies from all different countries and we even accept cryptocurrency. So try the form on our website first. And if the form does not work, you can then go to using other means of giving like through YouTube or Facebook. And then we've also put some other means of giving on our website that you can also check out. But we appreciate your support. And I thank you for your giving. Ultimately, it's gonna help us expand the kingdom. Darkness is losing, darkness is losing big and light is advancing. Help us continue to advance the light. One more time, davidhernandezministries.com slash partner to become a monthly supporter slash donate to give a single gift. I love you, I appreciate you, I pray for you. Thank you and remember until next time, nothing is impossible with God.