BC - Day 304

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.  Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?  For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, This fellow began to build and was not able to finish." Luke 14:28-30


Footnote:  When a builder doesn't count the cost or estimates it inaccurately, his building may be left half completed.  Will your Christian life be only half built and then abandoned because you did not count the cost of commitment to Jesus?  What are those costs?  Christians may face loss of social status or wealth.  They may have to give up control over their money, their time, or their career.  They may be hated, separated from their family, and even put to death.  Following Christ does not mean a trouble-free life.  We must carefully count the cost of becoming Christ's disciples so that we will know what we are getting into and won't be tempted later to turn back.


So, I'm curious.....did you count the cost of the Bible Challenge?  Did you understand how many hours you would be spending reading God's Word?  Did you realize how many times you would have to say "no" to something else -- like staying in bed a few extra minutes or turning on the TV -- in order to say "yes" to your daily reading schedule?

I hope that the dividends of the Bible Challenge have far outweighed the cost.  I know they have for me!


"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.  Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.  Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep."  Luke 15:4,5


Footnote:  We may be able to understand a God who would forgive sinners who come to him for mercy. But a God who tenderly searches for sinners and then joyfully forgives them must possess an extraordinary love!  This is the kind of love that prompted Jesus to come to earth to search for lost people and save them.  This is the kind of extraordinary love that God has for you.  If you feel far from God, don't despair.  He is searching for you!


JUST KEEP READING.........

All footnotes in italics taken from Life Application Study Bible, New International Version