Consider The Cost

Scripture:

25 As massive crowds followed Jesus, he turned to them and said, 26 “When you follow me as my disciple, you must put aside your father, your mother, your wife, your sisters, your brothers — yes, you will even seem as though you hate your own life. This is the price you’ll pay to be considered one of my followers. 27 And anyone who comes to me must be willing to share my cross and experience it as his own, or he cannot be considered to be my disciple. 28 So don’t follow me without considering what it will cost you. For who would construct a house before first sitting down to estimate the cost to complete it? 29 Otherwise he may lay the foundation and not be able to finish. The neighbors will ridicule him, saying, 30 “Look at him! He started to build but couldn’t complete it!” (Luke 14:25-30 The Passion) One of the saddest sights for me to see is a building foundation that has been laid and then left unfinished. For me this indicates a dream that did not happen. But beyond that is to see those who have determined to serve God in some significant way, but then along the way decide to give up. We had people that would come to visit us, especially in Jamaica when we were serving there, and they would get excited about what they saw. They would say they wanted to come and help, but first they had to do certain things. And then we would never see them again. There is a cost to following Jesus and we must consider it! Father, thank You that over the years You have helped us to consider the cost and then to continue to follow You. It has been our privilege and joy. We will continue as You put new challenges before us. AMEN Lord God, You’re so good! You’re my beautiful strength! Even in my older age You’re helping me to stay fresh, abide faithfully, and bear fruit. Psalm 92
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