Daily Bread 6-24-17

Luke 14:26-35

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, his own life also,he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me cannot be my disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold him begin to mock him.

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sainted an embassage, and dessert conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

ref. - Mt 10:37 - He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Rev 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death.

Mt 16:24 - Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mk 8:34 - And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Lk 9:23 - And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Mt 5:13 - Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt hath lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men.

What dedication it takes to be approved of Christ. We march around with our crosses on our necklaces and Jesus on our bumper stickers but have we really devoted ourselves to him in the way that it takes to be a true disciple? Have we really put him before all others including, no, most importantly, ourselves? Have the cares of this world and the lusts in it taken a primary residence in our souls? All are serious things to consider when we go about testifying of all that we are and all that he has made us. Truth is, many are lying in the face of man and in the eyes of God. Doesn't matter what false prophets tell us or gainsayers or princes of this world tell us, the gospel rings clear and true. Would you give up your parents for this savior? Have you put him before even them? Would you give up your children? Or do you put them before him? your husband or wife? who is the first love in your life? your livelihood? do you praise him in the rich or the poor, or do you dip into the ways of the devil to avoid the poor part? Your popularity? If standing up for the gospel means that you have not even one friend on this earth, would you follow him? Now that we stand boldly and say, "Yes,I would", are you prepared to? You see, this salvation is freely given but there are some very serious things that we need to consider before we go spouting our mouths off about how much we have done and how dedicated we are. Most will mislead us into the issues of family because that is where their heart is, but are you considered Christ's family? If you say yes then are you doing the will of God? Have you put the love of money before your love of Christ, denying him rather than yourself? Those who tell you that a Christian is to be no different than a sinner in this world are nothing more than plain clothed devils that have nothing more in mind than your service to them. We must be different, and the way we are will not agree with worldly thinking and worldly ways. But if we want the true discipleship of Christ, it is time to pray and be transformed into true disciples. No, we cannot do it on our own, the world will overpower us and we are far outnumbered, but with Christ we can do anything! If we just blend in as Christians and the world does not see us as different then we are useful to no one. Christ cannot use us because we have not armed ourselves with the full armor that was offered and the world doesn't want us because we have been exposed to the truth and, no matter what, we will not fully serve the world ever again. So you see, as men and women who have been introduced to the gospel and this savior, we have only one rational decision; that is to follow Christ. We say we need more faith and it is true, so lets pray together, for ourselves and for one another. And let us dedicate ourselves in our hearts, minds, and souls, to Jesus Christ and let him fill us with a Spirit that will give us the gifts necessary to not only thrive on this earth,(not being a part of it or conforming to its ways, but thrive as a Christian on this earth) but to be armed for Spiritual battle around every corner. Let us allow him to qualify us to be called His Disciples so that we may endure to the end!! Have a great day!!!