[Jesus said,] "And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!'"
—Luke 14:27-30 NLT
Key Thought
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it many years ago: "When Christ calls a man, he calls him to follow him to a cross and die." Bonhoeffer paid that cost when he died at the hands of the Nazis in WWII. Our commitment to Christ isn't a simple thing that happens just between our ears. Jesus warns us not to pretend to follow. He cautions us that our commitment must be heartfelt and soul-deep and that there is a cost that comes with following him. Jesus calls us to count the cost and then to follow him.
Today's Prayer
Loving Father, too often I find my service to you and to the Kingdom lukewarm and passionless. Father, I not only ask for your forgiveness, but I also ask that you renew and revive me by the power of your Holy Spirit. Stir me to be the follower of Jesus you want me to be. I offer you my life, my love, and my all in Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2019 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Luke 14:27-30 NLT
Key Thought
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it many years ago: "When Christ calls a man, he calls him to follow him to a cross and die." Bonhoeffer paid that cost when he died at the hands of the Nazis in WWII. Our commitment to Christ isn't a simple thing that happens just between our ears. Jesus warns us not to pretend to follow. He cautions us that our commitment must be heartfelt and soul-deep and that there is a cost that comes with following him. Jesus calls us to count the cost and then to follow him.
Today's Prayer
Loving Father, too often I find my service to you and to the Kingdom lukewarm and passionless. Father, I not only ask for your forgiveness, but I also ask that you renew and revive me by the power of your Holy Spirit. Stir me to be the follower of Jesus you want me to be. I offer you my life, my love, and my all in Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2019 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...
