At What Expense?

At what expense?

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 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? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:26-33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Have you ever considered what your faith might cost you in the future?

Around the world Christians have been persecuted for their beliefs! And that violence is not something from long ago, but happening today! Crucifixions, beheadings; all because of the belief in Jesus! 

I read recently that since 1940 until today, more Christians have been executed for their beliefs, than since the early church began until 1940! We are talking centuries versus 75 years! And the numbers "more" are in the millions!

In many cases the ones who have been executed were "turned in" by their children or parents, or by other church members! The evil regimes and religious organizations associated with these atrocities often use children as bait, to get parents to disavow their belief in Jesus as the Son of God! Your child or Jesus! The cost is astronomical! And Jesus knew we would face it! Those who are not "sold out" will fail the ultimate test. "Overcoming" costs, and only through an early death, will some escape! His rescue of His Beloved is not in a snatching away, but of a burning love shed in our hearts! A gift of a strengthened resolve; imparted so as to endure! And a promise of eternity with a crown, instead of an eternity of torment! The cost of our salvation is blood; maybe even our own! Will you stand firm in your belief or will you deny Him? 

Since its early beginnings Christianity has not been for the faint of heart!  In the near future you will have to count the cost here in the states, as our country is changing by leaps and bounds everyday! There have already been beheadings here, but everyone believes that they are isolated incidents; it won't happen in their backyard! Just like no one ever expects to die today (but many will); we live in denial of our own mortality! 

Spare no expense!

Jesus gave His all for you - 

If faced with the unimaginable - will you give your all for Him? 

Many have walked this hard, narrow road before us, but it takes a single-mindedness and a heart that is purposed to finish the race well; whatever the cost; sparing no expense!

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If you love the world and your life, family, and friends, more than you love Jesus then you have already lost the race! In fact, you are not even in the running!

Jesus did not die to make you happy and prosperous!

This life you are living is not about here and now! It's just a drop in the bucket as compared to eternity! What you are going through right now, WILL NOT last forever! Be eternity minded!

Repent! Turn from your wicked (disobedient) ways while there is still time! 

Even so - MARANATHA 

From 2/8/15