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CALCULATING THE COST





S.E.E.D. For Today___Count the Cost

 Scripture "But don't begin until you count the cost." Luke 14:28 NLT

Jesus uses two parables of building and war to encourage His followers to count the cost. He talks about beginning the construction on a building without calculating the cost or going to war without counsel, so you cannot become a disciple without counting the cost. Both emphasize the necessity to take some time and compute it all. The upside to our failure of obeying God's will is that we don't calculate the cost. Every accomplishment in life requires counting the cost, but many of us want the successes without considering what will it cost me. We beg God to use us, to choose us to do great things for the Kingdom of God without knowing it will cause us to write a check that in the end we can't cash. Jesus is saying look you cannot be my disciple until you give up everything you own, so consider the cost before you start. Who begins construction on a building the Lord says and then does not have enough money to finish it? Why start something that you know you don't have in you to finish. When money or the things it can buy or what our hearts want make us hesitant about doing what we feel the Lord is calling us to do, we are disciples of things and self, not of Christ. Every follower considers what the price will be that's why Christ started with many disciples and ended up with the twelve. Everybody wants ministry, I see God calling me, really, are you willing to pay with your life for it? Before we make these suggestions to God you ought to calculate the cost.

Example  Calculate the consequences of something, the required payment, the estimate.

Exercise Read Luke 14:25-35 Journal and talk to God about the cost. Listen it costs something to be a true Christian. Let that never be forgotten. To be a mere nominal Christian and go to church is cheap and easy work. But to hear the Lord and obey Him will be self-denial. It will cost you, your wants, your ease, your ambitions, your worldliness, all must be given up. Jesus wants us to completely understand this. You either put up or shut up! Be careful what you ask for. The mother of Zebedees sons came to the Lord and asked of Him a favor that her sons sit in a place of honor next to Him. The Lord replies you don't know what you are asking for. No one counted the cost.

Devotion Lord I pray for courage today. I need courage so that after I count the cost I can say Yes Sir! Lord I am calculating right now, all that I'm working on for all that You are wanting to work through me. Lord help me remain Kingdom minded when I know personally there is so much I want to do. Today I realize that I'm only giving up what You have given me and without You I am nothing. I pray everyday I add up what I owe You for life, and I put my hands up and surrender all in Jesus Name Amen.

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