DISCIPLESHIP

7 25 12 Discipleship  

Scripture:    Luke 14:28 (NIV) "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?

Note:   Our text for today reminded me of a joke I heard some years ago. It seems that a truck load of men drove up to the lumberyard to get some building material. They sent one of the men inside to make the purchase. He told the sales clerk that he needed 10 two by fours for a project they were working on. The sales clerk asked him how long he wanted them. He said he didn’t know and he would check with the foreman of his group. He came back in several minutes later and the clerk asked him once again, how long you want them. He replied, “We want them for a long time we are building a house.” A slight breakdown in communication!

In the above Bible text Jesus asked the question, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” We need to make this same consideration in following Christ. If you want to follow Jesus there are costs involved. Sometimes this may include: families, relationships, jobs, future plans and security. As difficult as it sounds, our success depends on our willingness to count the cost and believe it is worth it. It cost Jesus everything. The truth is, we gain so much more than we ever lose. All we lose are the things that are not good for us. We gain Jesus, eternal life, peace, forgiveness, hope, wisdom, strength. The apostle Paul came to the conclusion, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil 1:21).

Please understand, this does not mean that we must deny or lay aside our God-given abilities, interest or intellect. It simply means that we are willing to devote all we are, our strengths and weaknesses to Christ. We are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God,  making it known to God, family and friends that we are no longer going to conform to the pattern of this world but through the grace of God we are going to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us by renewing our minds and giving us a mind that is like Christ. Then we will know and be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom 12: 1-2).

Owen Bourgaize, a licensed lay Baptist preacher in England wrote the following: “If our Christianity has not cost us everything that this world counts dear, we really do not know the meaning of serving God. The Lord is calling people today who will follow him in the pathway of the Cross - being emptied of everything.”  Bourgaize is talking about a faith in Christ that few will ever experience. It’s the type of faith that knows trying times and difficulties are going to come. It’s the type of faith that lends itself to our asking many questions, some of which will go unanswered. But it’s also the kind of faith that when placed in Jesus brings us a joy that cannot be found in the world.  It’s the kind of faith that enables you to know regardless of what is going on around you, regardless of how confusing and complicated life becomes, before the last Word is spoken the Author of life will have made all things perfectly clear. The cost is great. The rewards are greater still.

Word from the Lord:   Beloved, many who profess to love me seldom darken the door of my Church much less bend the knee to pray. They seldom give of themselves, their resources, their time because they are simply, too busy with other things. Many have counted the cost of following me and discovered it to be a price too high to pay. My Son saw the need, counted the cost and was willing to pay the price; his life for the life of the world. To be like him your cost will be the same. You must surrender your life to him. My servant Paul understood this. He saw death as gain. He gave that which he could not keep, his earthly life for that he could not lose, an eternal relationship living in the presence of Christ. Paul’s earthly life, his earthly mission came to an end but his heavenly mission and heavenly life with Christ continues.

Did the Lord speak to you today?  Why not write it down and claim it for His Glory. 


Prayer:  What do you need to pray to the Lord today? Listen to your heart. He loves you!


If you are not interesting in receiving these devotionals please let me know and I will remove you from the list. I hope you enjoy them and that they encourage you to faithfulness. david