28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Don’t you sit down and estimate the cost, to see if you have enough capital to complete it? 29 If you don’t, then when you have laid the foundation but can’t finish, all the onlookers start making fun of you 30 and say, ‘This is the man who began to build, but couldn’t finish!’
31 “Or again, suppose one king is going out to wage war with another king. Doesn’t he first sit down and consider whether he, with his ten thousand troops, has enough strength to meet the other one, who is coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he hasn’t, then while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation to inquire about terms for peace.
33 “So every one of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has cannot be my talmid. 34 Salt is excellent. But if even the salt becomes tasteless, what can be used to season it? 35 It is fit for neither soil nor manure — people throw it out. Those who have ears that can hear, let them hear!”
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"The Gift of Open Hands" by Author: Julia Roat-Abla
Jesus' call in Luke 14:33 for His disciples to "give up everything they have" is a difficult but necessary requirement for those who hope to follow in His footsteps. It seems like so much is being given up: family, friends, familiarity, even ambition and success. Perhaps it is a lot to give up. In following Jesus we discover how a relationship with Him changes how we relate to everyone and everything.
We could look at it from another perspective, however. If we don’t let go of these things in the way they have always been to us–our own–our hands will never be empty or open enough to receive the grace, peace, and joy Jesus longs to give to His disciples. This loss is a gift because it opens up our capacity to receive something holy and divine. It is one of places along the way where the cross turns defeat into victory and sorrow into joy.
Hymn for today: "Come, Every One Who Is Thirsty" by Lucy J. Rider
1. Come every one who is thirsty in spirit;
Come, every one who is weary and sad.
Come to the fountain, there’s fullness in Jesus -
All that you’re longing for; Come and be glad!
Refrain:
"I will pour water on him that is thirsty;
I will pour floods upon the dry ground.
Open your heart for the gifts I am bringing;
While ye are seeking Me I will be found."
2. Child of the world, are you tired of your bondage?
Weary of earth-joys, so false, so untrue?
Thirsting for God and His fullness of blessing?
List to the promise, a message for you.
Refrain:
"I will pour water on him that is thirsty;
I will pour floods upon the dry ground.
Open your heart for the gifts I am bringing;
While ye are seeking Me I will be found."
3. Child of the Kingdom, be filled with the Spirit!
Nothing but fullness thy longing can meet.
’Tis the enduement for life and for service.
Thine is the promise, so certain, so sweet!
Refrain:
"I will pour water on him that is thirsty;
I will pour floods upon the dry ground.
Open your heart for the gifts I am bringing;
While ye are seeking Me I will be found."
Quote for today:
"He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty"[Luke 1:53].
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Gabon.
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