COUNT THE COST

MEMORIZE: for which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Luke 14:28

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 1-6

One common tradition at this time of the year is New Year’s resolution. People make promises to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice. One of the most common New Year’s resolutions, if not the most common one, is to lose weight. Asides New Year’s resolution, another thing people do is set goals for the year. Some set spiritual goals like reading the whole bible in a year, praying and fasting more, witnessing more, not missing mid week services, joining the group of ‘workers’ in the vineyard of God, etc. Today, i stumbled upon a survey which noted that only 10% of Christians have read the entire bible, i mean cover to cover. Are you part of the 10%? Some set financial goals, marital goals, personal goals, academic goals, health goals and so on.

Whether you will realize your goals this year or not will be determined by God - first, and you - second. Jesus Christ said this: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Paul, an apostle of Jesus, said this: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). Without the help of the Lord, one will never achieve his goals. According to Psalm 127:1, except God builds a house those building it are only wasting their time. The good news is we have God behind us. Yesterday, we heard what the Lord said about this year – 2015: YEAR OF MEANINGFUL ACHIEVEMENT. With our Father in heaven behind us, this year we will leap over any mountain or hindrance the enemy may set up. Psalm 18:29 says, “For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have i leaped over a wall.” The rest now depends on you. The man who will reach his goal or realize his potential this year must first count the cost. Jesus said, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”(Luke 14:28). Take for instance you want to buy a tambourine you will use in praising the Lord this year. The first thing you do is identify the type of tambourine you want. Secondly, you check the price before going to a Christian book shop or musical store to buy it. When you get to the shop, you pay the price and they in turn give you the tambourine. If you give the shop assistant 4 dollars when the tambourine cost 6 dollars, he or she will return your money to you. Unless you have the right amount, you will not be able to purchase the tambourine. This is similar to your goals. The first thing you do is identify the cost or count the cost. A fellow who wants to save more this year must first curb his spending. Proverbs 21:17 says, “he that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” Success in all ramifications will cost you your associations. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” You want to be able to drive away demons this year? It will cost you total submission to Christ (James 4:7). You want speedy answers to your prayers this year? You will have to evangelize (John 15:16). You want more of God’s presence around your home, work, business, etc; it will cost you prayers and worshipping God. (John 4:23).

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: The most important goal a man can set for himself is to reign with Christ in heaven.

QUESTION: Have you given your life to Christ? Are you genuinely born again? What has changed since you gave your life Christ?

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.