Upper Room Daily Devotions ~ Sunday, 3 November 2013 ~ “All weather Commitment” ~ READ: Luke 14

Upper Room Daily Devotions ~ Sunday, 3 November 2013 ~ “All weather Commitment” ~ READ: Luke 14:26  “If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard† his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. 27  Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross, and come after me, can’t be my disciple. 28  For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? 29  Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him, 30  saying, ‘This man began to build, and wasn’t able to finish.’ 31  Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an envoy, and asks for conditions of peace. 33  So therefore whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple.(Messianic WEB)

[Jesus] said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”~-Luke 9:23 (NRSV)

On one warm, sunny day I was out mowing our yard. Eventually I noticed Ben, our lovable Golden Labrador, following me. He easily could’ve gone into the garage — where it wasn’t as hot — and lapped up a drink of water to cool down, but our loyal Lab continued to follow me in the heat, panting profusely. When I thought about Ben’s commitment to following me, the question came to mind, Am I that committed to following Christ? When things in my life aren’t going well or when the Lord doesn’t answer one of my prayers the way I would like, am I still committed to following him? Or am I loyal to Christ only when everything in life is going my way? Our lovable Lab’s commitment to following me, in spite of tough circumstances, challenged me to be more devoted in my commitment to follow Christ.~~The Author ~ Tyler Myers (Ohio, USA)

Thought for the Day: Go to devotional.upperroom.org/blog to see a picture of Tyler and Ben.

Prayer: Dear God, give us your grace and strength to be committed to you even when life is full of trials. Amen.

Prayer Focus: For a stronger commitment to Christ

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