What It REALLY Looks Like to Follow Jesus (it may not be what you think...)
Have you ever had a revelation/download from the Lord that was completely unexpected, yet after you’ve received it, you’ve realized it’s kind of been in front of your face the entire time?
That’s definitely what this revelation is like - both for me IN it and also for His Church at large.
I’m not officially titling it a “prophetic word,” although I know it certainly is a direction from the Lord for His people in this time. But, I also felt led to share some of my personal experiences along with the downloads He gave me to help illustrate what He wants us to see.
So, let’s dive in, shall we?
If you were to ask a believer what it looks like to follow Jesus, they would probably say something along the lines of:
Surrendering your will for His
Putting your faith and trust in Him
Laying down your life for Him
Making Him the Lord of your life
You know… “Christianese” answers. Now granted, they are all true. But, the question is how much do we as believers actually really meditate on what these things mean and truly believe them?
In the Scriptures, Jesus makes it pretty clear what it takes to be His disciple.
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” -Luke 9:23
“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” -Luke 14:27
“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, he cannot be my disciple.” -Luke 14:26
“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” -Luke 14:33
You don’t hear those verses being preached every week in church, do you?
But, that’s the problem. The Christian faith as a whole has gotten so watered-down through lukewarm teaching, man-made doctrine and religion, that there isn’t a whole lot of Jesus’ original teaching being shared today. (Which is exactly why God is shaking everything right now.)
Yes, there is a remnant of spirit-filled, sold-out followers of Jesus scattered across the nation and the world who do take these words to heart and truly walk it out in their lives. But, many of those who consider themselves believers do not.
Read those verses again. Jesus doesn’t exactly mince words. He’s pretty straightforward. If you want to be a disciple, a follower, a believer, you have to give up your life. Period. It’s why it’s referred to over and over in the Bible as being a “slave to Christ” or a “slave for God.”
When you decide to make Jesus the Lord of your life, that’s not just a feel-good phrase that you say once in awhile. That is a heart-level, life-changing decision. When you make someone the Lord over your life, that means you give them ownership of it. That means they get to rule. They make the decisions. They set the course. They determine what happens.
Not you.
Yet, we don’t really see a whole lot of this happening in the mainstream Church. In fact, somehow along the way, it got labeled as something that just the “radical” types do. The ones who quit their jobs and move to third world countries to minister to the poor.
We see them up on the big screens as we sit in the comfy chairs at church with the air conditioning and our coffee drinks and we marvel at how brave they are. We might even send off a monthly check to support them, but there’s still a perceived separation there - between “us” and “them.”
I remember the Holy Spirit led me to a post online earlier this year where a pastor shared that a woman had actually come up to him after a service and asked him if she could just believe in Jesus without being a “disciple.” She explained that she believed that Jesus was the Son of God and that He had died for her sins. But, she didn’t really want to do all that other “extreme” stuff. She just wanted to keep living her life the way she was used to and then go to Heaven when she dies.
The fact that someone can even consider that a real possibility just shows how far the Church has strayed from the original Gospel message.
If she was reading those verses up there, she wouldn’t have even had to ask that question. Cuz again, it’s pretty clear.
But, unfortunately, because things have gotten so lukewarm and watered-down by the world, the Church doesn’t even really know what it means to follow Jesus anymore! And well… He’s pretty clear about that too.
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” -Revelation 3:15-16
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.” -Matthew 5:13
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” -2 Timothy 4:3
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” -1 John 2:15-16
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” -Matthew 12:30
Again, Jesus is not being wishy-washy. He’s pretty clear about His feelings toward those who are mixed in with the world or wanting to stay in their lukewarm states. But, there’s been no urgency in the Church for anyone to “wake up” and come out of their “slumber.” Until now.
I’ve already shared a prophetic dream that the Lord gave me last year about being at a wedding and there being a long line of people at the church who were just walking by in a trance like zombies. And how the handsome man who “worked” there (the devil) said he had been “praying” for the Holy Spirit to be taken away from the people because it was “for their own good.”
Of course, the dream is a dramatic symbolic representation. But, the message/warning behind it is real. So many churches have become focused on the numbers, the staging, the music, the coffee, making the people feel comfortable and not appearing as “too much,” that they’ve watered down everything that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are about.
Who said the Gospel message is supposed to be comfortable? Who said it isn’t supposed to make people squirm a little? I believe Jesus said quite the opposite…
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is supposed to pierce someone so sharply that it divides their soul from their spirit and reveals the intentions of their heart. So, if pastors and churches are purposely trying to keep things as “palatable” and non-confrontational as possible in order to not “scare” people off… how exactly is that supposed to happen?
So, instead, the Church has focused on creating systems, programs and procedures. They create all kinds of programs - to educate people, to serve people, to feed people, to entertain people. They set up classes and processes. They create applications and guidelines. They count the numbers of how many people come to the classes and fill out the cards. And then they share those numbers with the rest of the church to get everyone excited about how well they’re doing.
And up until very recently… I thought that was all a great thing. Until, Jesus showed me that it wasn’t.
In fact, He showed me this Scripture in a whole new way:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” -Matthew 7:21-23
Whenever I had read that passage before, I had always thought of those who were stuck in religion. The obvious “Pharisees” and “Sadducees” who had no relationship with the Lord and were prideful and self-righteous. But, this new revelation He was giving me of this verse… well, it was even scarier.
Because what He was showing me was those who truly think they are doing things in Jesus’ name! Those who truly believe they are being humble and generous and kind and doing things for Him. Yet, when it actually comes down to it, they are doing them for themselves.
(Yikes, I know. But stay with me here.)
This is literally the point where I had to ask Jesus to clarify what He was saying to me. How could these churches that really love Him and truly want to serve Him be doing all these wonderful things like food programs, discipleship classes, benevolence programs, etc. for themselves and not Him?
And that’s when He opened my eyes so I could see.
Because they are all just that - programs. Man-made, organized, structured programs. And that is not Jesus. That is the world.
He even had me look up the exact definition of benevolence, which is “a kind act or generous gift.” And then, pointed out the ridiculousness of having a “policy” or “application” for benevolence. Because then, that literally means you have to apply for a kind act. Or qualify for a policy to receive a gift.
Yet, from all outward appearances, these seem to be good things!
The Church is doing this… the Church is doing that. Look at all the people we’ve helped! (Which on a side note, Jesus is pretty clear about too… “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men.” -Matthew 6:1-2)
Now, let me stop right here for a moment and reiterate that this was all news to me too. I was totally under the illusion that these were all great things too (although my spirit did get very uncomfortable anytime any pastor would “count” the number of donations, salvations, etc.).
And I went along with the reasoning that they “have” to share those numbers with the congregation to get them to see why they should tithe/give. Except… all that actually reveals is a different heart issue with people not having truly surrendered their money to the Lord and not truly trusting Him with it.
But, the other reasoning that I’ve said out of my own mouth (in defense of the Church) and heard time and time again from other believers is that they “have” to put these guidelines and systems in place because otherwise people will “abuse” them. That if they just helped every random person that walked in off the street that that would somehow be a problem. So, they “have” to “control” it.
And THIS is where Jesus showed me… “that is NOT Me.”
Who said you can’t help everyone who comes to the door? (Or at least try to)
Who said you can’t help the “crazy” person with the “crazy” story?
Who gets to decide who is “worthy” of help and who isn’t?
Because basically, that is what you’re saying when you use that reasoning. That some people who walk up to the Church are somehow NOT worthy of being helped. It sounds harsh. But, that’s the truth underneath it.
The way the Lord showed it to me was He said, “Asking people… ‘how did you end up in this situation? What are your plans to get out of it?’ is man’s way. My way is just help. Love.”
He showed me how over and over again in the Scriptures, He didn’t ask someone how they got sick or became poor. He didn’t ask them what their plans were to fix it or what attempts they had made to take care of it themselves.
Yet, this is what most churches do now “in His name.”
And the reason I know this is because I experienced it personally. (And now I know why!)
This is the part that had literally been right in front of my face and I couldn’t “see” it. The Lord had been using me as an example this whole time. As a temperature gauge. A litmus test.
Since He called me out of my “regular” job and living situation and has had me on a nomadic, Abraham-like journey since 2017, I have had to depend on Him for everything. I have had to trust that each time He sent me somewhere, He’d provide housing, food, etc. And the majority of the time, He used other people to do it (I had just a few writing jobs and house/pet-sitting gigs that He allowed me to keep along the way).
It was a journey to build my faith and trust in Him. But, what I hadn’t realized was how much of a test that it was for others around me too. When He would send me somewhere and I knew in my spirit that I was supposed to be there, it wasn’t up to me. It was up to that other person whether or not they would agree and extend hospitality and help me. (Needless to say, it has been an incredibly uncomfortable process for me to walk through!)
Thankfully, most of the people “passed” the test! Many were kind and generous and helpful. But even so, most (if not all) still couldn’t recognize my journey for what it actually was. Even those who helped me seemed to do so out of pity and there was always a general sense of “poor her” like my position was something to be ashamed of or feel guilty about.
In fact, I hadn’t even realized how much this outlook had affected me until one day the Holy Spirit convicted me and said “Stop walking around with your head low! You’re not doing anything wrong! You are in this position because you are being obedient!” And it was the craziest thing because I hadn’t even realized that I had let others’ opinions, the world and of course the enemy make me believe something that wasn’t true.
I had started to take on that lie that I was somehow shameful or a “screw up” that needed pity. When in actuality, I was walking out a faith journey with the Lord. But again, because believers have come so far from knowing what that looks like (me included!), that they often can’t recognize it when they see it.
Because they are used to looking at everything through man’s perspective, they can’t fathom that God would have someone out there without a permanent home, depending on Him for direction, provision and protection. Yet, that is exactly what following the Lord is all about!
The other thing I hadn’t really taken account of until now either was how the churches themselves had not “passed the test” throughout my journey.
In fact, I had become so disillusioned with churches along the way, that I had stopped approaching them for help altogether. I knew (from being involved on the “other side”) that my former church had an entire “process” and application that you had to go through for help. So, I avoided asking for help because I just needed immediate assistance, not a process. But, their focus instead was on “what we could do to change this.” And ironically, they couldn’t recognize my God-led journey for what it was either.
Then, there was another church along the way that I again, didn’t even bother to ask for help from because I knew they’d also turn it into a whole ordeal (which was later confirmed for me when I did reach out in a weak moment). And another who outright said they couldn’t get involved “for legal reasons” (seriously…what?). And then just recently, when He brought all of this to light for me, He showed it to me yet again with another church. And this one really surprised me because from all outside appearances, they seem to be an extremely generous church who’s doing a lot to help other people.
I was very surprised and genuinely confused by the disconnect between how I viewed them and the lack of assistance (or even response!) I got when I approached them for help. Now again, I was actually defending them myself and saying that same old thing… “Well Lord, it is a weird thing for someone to just roll up out of nowhere and say the Lord told me to come here and expect help…” But, His response was simply, “Why?”
Why is that weird?
Why can’t they help just anyone who approaches the building?
And then He did what He always likes to do - walk out that thought completely. So, if that is the case - that they indeed can’t be expected to help everyone, why is that? Why would they not help me? What would be the reasoning? The rest of that thought?
So, I tried to play it out. But, there was never an answer that was going to satisfy Him. Because all of our “reasoning” and rationale don’t line up with His ways. Certainly not “they don’t deserve it.” Most believers would probably outright say they’d never say such a thing. But, what about the more obscure rationales?
They might be lying. They might use the money for alcohol or drugs instead. They need someone to help them help themselves, not charity. They might be crazy. If we help every single person that comes by, then we’ll be expected to help everyone.
Can you see the falsities in these reasons? Can you feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit? None of them hold water. Not holy water, anyway.
Jesus doesn’t care if they’re lying. He doesn’t care if they’re crazy or if they might use your blessing for drugs or alcohol. He calls us - each one of us - to be like Him. He calls us to give to the poor and help when we see someone in need. Period. Not judge them or their situation.
It’s the same thing He had taught me many years prior about giving money to homeless people on the street or by exit ramps on the highway. I used to think I had to be specifically “convicted” to give to them and had of course, heard the WIDE-spread rationale of “well, most of them will just spend it on alcohol anyway” from others. But again, He showed me how neither one lined up with Him.
I didn’t need a special “nudge” from Him every time I gave to someone. He likes a cheerful giver. That is just an understood, a given. We give. We share. We meet needs. That’s who we are in Christ. So, scratch out that excuse. And for the other one (which I personally never really thought, but knew many people who did), it is not our business what the other person does with our blessing. And it’s not even our business if they’re lying in the first place and have a Rolls Royce parked around the corner from where they’re standing with the sign.
Our responsibility is to help. To give. To share love. After that, whatever happens from that point on is between that person and God.
So, to go back to finishing out that thought of trying to rationalize why a church wouldn’t help me or anyone… the most common response I heard (and still hear) over and over again is how they “unfortunately have to” limit who they help because if they don’t, people will take advantage of them. Except, that again, means there is a perceived “limit” to how much they can be blessed. That implies by it’s very definition that there is a certain amount that is available and if that amount is exceeded, then the person is “taking advantage” or “abusing” the generosity.
So then, if that is true, who sets that limit? Who determines how much is too much? And is that the same across the board or does it depend? If it depends, then on what factors does it depend? Is this “limit” the same for a single person as it is for a family or single parent? Or does their “worthiness” of blessing and help depend on how desperate they appear?
Is there a limit to how many times they can be helped? Is it a one-and-done situation? Or do they have to have an acceptable “reason” to ask for help multiple times? At what point does it become too much? At what point does it stop become receiving help and become taking advantage? At what point does kindness and generosity become abuse? And who determines that?
Do you see where the questions never end? That’s because we as man have complicated what God made to be simple. Jesus said love. Give. Help. Take care of the poor, the orphans and the widows. Feed the least of these. Feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty. Invite the stranger in.
Simple and straightforward.
When we start putting limitations on things, it can really only mean one of a few things. That we think there won’t be enough for everyone. Wrong. God never runs out, ever. (Read the story of the loaves and fishes again) Or that it’s up to us to determine who actually needs help and who doesn’t. Wrong again. Jesus never gave us that job.
So, all of those reasons don’t work. Even the extreme one of “well, what if they’re obviously crazy?” To which Jesus told me, then you help the obviously crazy person. (Ya gotta love how simple He makes things.) Remember, Jesus helped Mary Magdalene be set free from seven demons, while I’m sure everyone else thought she was “crazy.” And delivered the man who lived among the tombs in the hills from a whole legion of demons.
Jesus has never had an issue with “crazy.”
In fact, He ended up correcting me and telling me that I needed to stop saying that I was “crazy” when I’m not. He had to remind me that I am doing exactly what He called me to do. And I am in the position that I am (of being nomadic and dependent on Him for provision) because I am being obedient to Him. Not because I did anything “wrong” (although He again stressed the fact that that shouldn’t “disqualify” someone from help either).
He took me back to His Word and reminded me of His own words instructing the disciples as He sent them out…
“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” -Luke 10:3-12
He reiterated that the way He’s had me traveling, living and ministering is literally how HE lived and how He instructed the disciples to live. He told them to go where He sent them and to not take anything with them. But instead, to find a house that is “worthy” (in other translations) and stay there. To receive lodging, food and drink from them and to bless their house while you are there.
But, unfortunately, many believers and houses of God can’t “see” that when it’s right in front of them. Many of them will miss “Jesus” when He’s right there in their midst because they’ve gotten so caught up in their own programs and procedures.
That, He said, is how you can end up in that position standing before Him saying you have done this and that in His name and He will say He does not know you… because to know Him is to recognize Him when He comes to your door in the form of a stranger. Of someone who needs help in a moment.
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” -James 2:15-16
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” -Matthew 25:35
Because Jesus is the wanderer. He is the stranger. He is the one without a place to lay His head.
And when we make it all about a plan or a program or even worse, dismiss someone altogether, we not only miss the opportunity to be Jesus. We miss Jesus.
James 2 tells us about the sin of partiality, where we pay attention to the stranger in fine clothes, but neglect the stranger in shabby clothes. And again, on the surface, most believers would say, I’d never do that! And they probably genuinely believe it!
But, that’s exactly what all of these man-made “programs” do. They make judgments about people. They classify them. As “worthy” of being helped or not. And unfortunately, like I experienced myself, when that becomes a recognized notion, it can actually even prevent people from going to the church for help because they don’t even want to bother.
It’s what happened with me.
James 1:27 says, “Pure and genuine religion to God is caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
I truly had not even seen it myself until now but when we make helping others about programs, applications and procedures, we have let the world corrupt us. Because then, what makes us different from the world? If people have to “qualify” or “beg” for help from the Church, how is that any different than them going to a secular or worldly organization for help? (In fact, sadly, it’s often easier to get help from a secular organization or a non-believer!)
This was a difficult revelation for me to have myself. Because I’m not standing in judgment of the Church. Like I said, I was right there defending them to the Lord! Until He opened my eyes and showed me what I couldn’t see before. And had me literally walk it out as a prophetic example. Of all the emails sent, phone calls made, messages left and even walking up to doors - often left postponed, denied or just outright ignored.
But, the good news is (because there is always good news with the Lord!)… He is changing things. Just like with me, I do believe that the majority of true Jesus-loving believers who have been caught up in this man-made system don’t even realize it. I do think it has unfortunately become such a norm for most of us that we don’t even realize there’s anything wrong with it.
But, that is exactly why God is shaking everything right now and He’s starting with His own Church. He is done with all of the man-made systems, the self-based doctrine and the religious systems that have turned His Church into something almost unrecognizable in comparison to the early Church of the Bible.
Now, is the time when God is waking His people up. He is bringing them out of slumber. Out of complacency and lukewarm attitudes. He is breaking off the systems of the world and bringing them back into what it truly means to be His Church. To be followers of Jesus and to walk in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
He had me release a prophetic word earlier this year about how He is taking His Church back to Acts 2 and He took me back to that passage again when He was giving me this download. To reiterate some of what He had me share before, He is bringing His Church back to the way it was then:
they devoted themselves (meaning give all or the majority of one’s time to) the apostles’ teaching and fellowship with one another
they had a deep sense of awe (reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder) of God
they experienced miraculous signs and wonders
they all met together in one place
they shared everything they had
they sold their stuff and shared the money with those in need
they worshiped together each day
they met in homes and shared meals with great joy and generosity
This is what the Church is going to look like moving forward. This is the “new” thing that God is doing (which is actually going back to the “old” thing). The days of “playing Church” are over. The days of God’s Church being run like a business or an organization are over.
And that is going to shock a lot of pastors and churches. But, like Hebrews 12:26-27 says, “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.”
God is removing the things that have been made. And all that will remain are the things that cannot be shaken.
And that is God’s Church. Moving in tune with the Holy Spirit as He moves. That is a fully-surrendered, yielded Church that does not operate off of man’s ways or understanding. But, solely off of God’s direction.
When the disciples were with Jesus on the shore and there were thousands of people to feed, the disciples looked at the natural. They thought with human reasoning. They didn’t believe there was any way to feed all those people. And this is the same reasoning that churches use today when they say they “have” to create systems or turn certain people away who will “abuse” their generosity.
But, Jesus’ response is different. He says, don’t count the people. Don’t figure out the logistics. Don’t judge a situation by what you see. If there is a need, fill it and trust that He will provide everything you need to do so. In fact, as we know about the Lord, when you trust Him, He’ll always provide more than enough.
I know it is a whole new way of thinking (it is for me too), but that’s why God says He is doing a “new” thing.
He doesn’t want us leaning on our own understanding or trying to do things in our own strength anymore. It is time for all the man-made things to end. The only things that will survive and thrive moving forward are those things that are completely dependent on God. And usually, those things don’t make sense to human understanding. That’s kind of the point. ;)
In this new era for the Church, there will be a new sense of surrender, awe and wonder that’s never been seen before. He is bringing His Bride into the fullness of her power for His glory. We will do greater signs and wonders than Jesus Himself did. And we will walk in the authority and freedom that He died to give us.
But, the first step to all of that is us being willing to lay down our old ways. To come out of our old habits and ways of doing things. And letting Him take over and run the show.
Following Jesus isn’t neat and tidy. It’s not quantifiable and qualifiable. It’s not structured and controlled.
It is exactly the opposite.
Following Jesus is unpredictable, uncomfortable and unfamiliar. It is dangerous, bold, risky and exciting. It means doing the unexpected, the unusual and the outright unexplainable.
It’s walking in “crazy” faith, moving in “crazy” love and giving with “crazy” generosity. It’s truly walking by faith not sight. Laying down our pre-conceived notions, our ideas, our preferences, our judgments and our opinions. And moving solely on His.
Following Jesus is dying to everything that is of your self. And living fully and freely in Him.
So, don’t miss it when you see it.
He is here. He is moving and He is bringing His Bride back to life.
Let the Church arise!