Prayer – Lord, I understand that everything costs something. Stuff we keep has three expenses involved with it…the original purchase price (even if it is a gift), the overhead of maintaining the item, and the cost of storing the item—the price for the space it takes up. Spiritually, are there similar costs? You, Jesus, paid the ultimate price—Your death on the cross as a sacrifice for all mankind’s sin. Does our spiritual life continue to be an expense to us? Our obedience or disobedience costs us in our devotion to You. Guide my heart, as well as that of each of my family, friends, and neighbors, that I would live a life pleasing to You—bringing You honor and glory. Thank you for the cost You paid for us!
"But don't begin until you count the cost. For
who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost
to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete
only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh
at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and
couldn't afford to finish it!' Luke 14:28-30
Meditate. Count the cost—of life—of every decision.
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| Zander and Kim in the midst of the firepit project. Building a tradition for Riverbluff Church. |
A building…or a bridge…always has a cost. Nothing is free. No free lunch. My grandson, Zander, just finished his Eagle Scout project—a gravel path and firepit in the wooded area near his church. It will be so useful to that church for teens, kids, families…and even single adults. He had to count the cost, raise the funds for the project before he could start, and get people committed to helping him. Then he had to organize the volunteers. The last work day was a longer one, so he had to get hamburgers fried up to feed his workers. The whole project was good experience for him, his family, friends and fellow Scouts. What did it cost him? Well…less time on his phone, playing video games, or watching movies—but also humbling himself to ask for help, doing manual labor—a good workout—and managing his time and materials. It also involved obedience to the rules and regulations of the Scouting program. Yes. There is a cost to everything. He didn’t run out of money and the project is completed—so no one is laughing at him. Already people are praising him for a job well done…and looking forward to using that firepit.
Did you ever sit by a campfire and watch the flickering
flames? Some of my favorite memories are sitting around a fire with family or
friends, singing or just talking, swapping stories and laughing as we watched
the sparks from the fire drift up into the sky…lit up with twinkling stars.
What was the cost of that? The fuel getting to the more or less remote
location—and giving up time spent somewhere else. The cost of the freedom in
our country—so that we are free to do what we want and go where we wish. The
cost that Jesus paid on the cross—for our spiritual freedom. That is the
greatest benefit to life. The assurance of a task that was completed—the one
Jesus finished on the cross. Are you reaping the eternal benefits of His gift
to mankind? Did He count the cost? Of course, He did. You are worth it to Him.
Verse of Salvation ~ Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't
take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and
make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12
© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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