Considering the Cost

"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?" -Luke 14:28
 
If you've ever tried to do something great, you'll know it has a huge cost. Anytime we attempt to accomplish something more than most people will, we'll experience more roadblocks than most people. The question is are we willing to make the sacrifices to do that may be such a challenge? We may discover that when we do, the payoff is much greater than we could ever imagine.

If you want a fit body, there's a cost. It probably involves a LOT of working out. It probably also involves making sacrifices in the type of food you eat. If you want to grow a business, it will cost you time - a LOT of time. If you want an amazing family, it will cost you time, effort, money, blood, sweat, and tears (literally). If you've already made the commitment, for any of those things, then it has become responsibility. But, everyday, we still choose whether to endure the cost and reap the benefit, or to disengage ourselves from the task at hand and become mediocre at what we're doing. It's a "heart-thing".

Jesus' calling had a cost - His life. Sometimes we'll do something that enlivens us -that gives us hope for the future and brings meaning to our lives. We'll discover where we fit, where we belong. We'll discover where our gifts and talents can be multiplied to affect the lives of others for good. When we discover any of those things, we'll know for sure the cost was worth the sacrifice.

Sometimes this sacrifice requires us to die to ourselves, to our own desires. It may require us to overcome our fears. It most probably requires us to lay down our lives at the foot of the cross, saying, "God, use me for whatever purpose you may have for my life." It involves submission. But, once we're willing to do this, we'll experience life to the greatest extent we've ever known. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Are you willing to endure the cost for what you feel God calling you to? I pray we'll all be able to endure the cost, whatever it may be, to grow God's kingdom for the good of this world.

Putting Our Plans Before God

"So David asked God, 'Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?' The Lord replied, 'Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.'" -1 Chronicle 14:10 NLT

 

Do you know the best way to plan for the future? Is there any way to ensure we're making the best decisions we can? 

When we're about to make a big decision, or any decision for that matter, it's a good idea to ask God about them. The types of decisions we make in our 20s can chart the course of the rest of our lives. Therefore, it's wise to get a heavenly perspective! 

One of the ways we can consult God about our decisions is through prayer. When David prayed to God, God answered him. But, we shouldn't assume that God answered our prayers the same way he did the first time. When David consulted God again for a subsequent battle, God told him something different. "And once again David asked God what to do. 'Do not attack them straight on,' God replied. 'Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.'" (1 Chronicles 14:14&15) This is why it is so crucial that we continue to consult our Heavenly Father in every step we take. 

Another way to put our plans before God is to put them before trusted people who know God and have walked the path we are going to take themselves. In the book of Proverbs it says, "Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success." (Proverbs 15:22) Do you know anyone who can speak spiritually into your life? Don't be afraid to ask for perspective from others - often this can save us danger and hardship down the road. 

Do you put your plans before God? Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When Things Don't Go As Planned

"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path." -Proverbs 3:6
 
Often when we find ourselves struggling in the area of vision, we find it hard to believe that God could do the extraordinary with our lives. We think things will turn out a certain way, and it turns out, they don't. Was it our fault? What happened?

God has a vision for our lives, and so do we. Often, it takes the messing up of our own vision in order for us to truly see what God had in mind. Sometimes He won't tell us. Sometimes He will. But in the end it is all for the structuring of our character, and for the shaping of our faith. It is also for the structuring and shaping of others.

The story of Job is recorded in the Bible. Job found himself in excruciating circumstances. His story goes something like this:

One day the angels presented themselves to the Lord and Satan came with them. God asked Satan where he had come from. Satan said, "From roaming through the earth." 

God said, "Have you seen my servant Job? He is a man of faith and character."

Satan replied, "Well yeah duh, you have placed a hedge around him and everything he has, and have blessed him with abundance. But take it all away and he will curse you to your face!"

"Alright, do what you will. But on the man do not lay a finger." Job 1:6-19

Job lost everything he had: his livestock, his servants, and his seven sons and three daughters. Now, I am sure that was not in Job's plan! But after God had found Job's heart to be pure, he gained back everything he had lost, times two!

When things don't go as planned we can think, "God, why have you left me? Why have you let these circumstances come my way? I'm trying to do your will here!" But he is always testing our hearts. "The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart." Proverbs 17:3

If it doesn't work out, get up, try again. God wants to see our success. But sometimes when things don't work out as planned he wants a different result - the purity of our hearts. That is what is most important to him.