A Father with Two Lost Sons
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, Today, we focus on the final story in Luke’s collection of three of My parables about finding lost things and lost sons. In today’s story in the verses below, you meet a father who had two lost sons. One son stayed at home and saw himself as working hard for many years for his father — literally, he says to his father, “Listen, all these years I’ve worked hard for you.” The other son told his father that he was as good as dead to him, so the son wanted the inheritance he was owed at his father’s death, immediately. Both sons were lost. The son who stayed at home and played the game to get what he felt was rightfully his was lost. The son who wanted his inheritance received it, and then left, was lost. Both sons received their proper share of the inheritance — don’t miss that point: “And so the father liquidated assets and divided them.” Here’s the sad part: neither son appreciated the father. Both sons were lost. Now remember from Luke’s first two verses in the chapter what the situation was that led Me to tell this story as well as the previous stories about the lost sheep and the lost coin: Jesus became increasingly popular among notorious sinners — tax collectors and other social outcasts. The Pharisees and religious scholars noticed this. Pharisees and Religious Scholars: This man welcomes immoral people and enjoys their company over a meal. (Luke 15:1-2) I wanted the “immoral people” to share My fellowship and come home to the heavenly Father by turning their lives away from sin and rebellion. I wanted the outwardly religious folks who thought they were honoring the heavenly Father with their religious games to turn from their self-righteousness and come home to their gracious and generous Father. Both were sinners. Both needed to come home. So that leaves Me with two final questions: Which of these two sons are you more like? What do you need to do right now to turn your life completely over to Me and come home to the Father? Verses to Live Please hear the words that follow as My invitation to come home to the Father! Jesus (with another parable): Once there was this man who had two sons. One day the younger son came to his father and said, “Father, eventually I’m going to inherit my share of your estate. Rather than waiting until you die, I want you to give me my share now.” And so the father liquidated assets and divided them. A few days passed and this younger son gathered all his wealth and set off on a journey to a distant land. Once there he wasted everything he owned on wild living. He was broke, a terrible famine struck that land, and he felt desperately hungry and in need. He got a job with one of the locals, who sent him into the fields to feed the pigs. The young man felt so miserably hungry that he wished he could eat the slop the pigs were eating. Nobody gave him anything. So he had this moment of self-reflection: “What am I doing here? Back home, my father’s hired servants have plenty of food. Why am I here starving to death? I’ll get up and return to my father, and I’ll say, ‘Father, I have done wrong—wrong against God and against you. I have forfeited any right to be treated like your son, but I’m wondering if you’d treat me as one of your hired servants.’” So he got up and returned to his father. The father looked off in the distance and saw the young man returning. He felt compassion for his son and ran out to him, enfolded him in an embrace, and kissed him. The son said, “Father, I have done a terrible wrong in God’s sight and in your sight too. I have forfeited any right to be treated as your son.” But the father turned to his servants and said, “Quick! Bring the best robe we have and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Go get the fattest calf and butcher it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate because my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and has been found.” So they had this huge party. Now the man’s older son was still out in the fields working. He came home at the end of the day and heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. The servant said, “Your brother has returned, and your father has butchered the fattest calf to celebrate his safe return.” The older brother got really angry and refused to come inside, so his father came out and pleaded with him to join the celebration. But he argued back, “Listen, all these years I’ve worked hard for you. I’ve never disobeyed one of your orders. But how many times have you even given me a little goat to roast for a party with my friends? Not once! This is not fair! So this son of yours comes, this wasteful delinquent who has spent your hard-earned wealth on loose women, and what do you do? You butcher the fattest calf from our herd!” The father replied, “My son, you are always with me, and all I have is yours. Isn’t it right to join in the celebration and be happy? This is your brother we’re talking about. He was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found again!” (Luke 15:11-32) Response in Prayer O Father, thank You for Jesus’ story of two lost sons. It grabs my heart. As You know, there are some days I am the younger and rebellious son. Please forgive me. I’m coming back home to You today. Some days I am the older brother, full of self-righteousness and wishing
Today’s Verse – Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers. —Psalm 1:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Too often, sin and ungodly living are portrayed as glamorous. These are marketed through previews in the media and championed on social media. The way to true blessings, however, is the way of God. His will is for our good, his commands spring from his mercy and protection, and his way is the path of true life. When we look beneath the thin veneer of those lauded in pop culture, we can see the mess they have made of life for themselves and others. However, we can be blessed to walk with God, do his will, and keep our sights set on our blessings when we go home to the Father in heaven, who sees what we do and appreciates our hearts’ desire for him! My Prayer… Forgive me, please, Father, for believing the lies of the world trying to deceive and entice me with the lies and temptations of Satan. I know that sin brings heartaches, complications, problems, and, ultimately, spiritual death. I also know that choosing the right things, standing up for truth, and living faithfully for you are often difficult. Please use the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart so I can recognize your truth and trust that walking in your will brings me true life — life both now and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, I ask for grace to walk in your way, not the ways of this world. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
The Lost Coin
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, How precious is a child? What is the value of a human life? What is one person worth? If you want to know the true answer to those questions, watch Me in the coming few weeks as you read My story. Notice what I’m willing to do — be humiliated and hung on a cross when I had the power to prevent it. Notice the price I’m willing to pay — I give up My will to honor the will of the Father and pay the price for the sin of all humankind for all of time. Notice what I’m willing to bear — being betrayed by one of My own, having one of My great potential leaders deny he even knew Me at all and being abandoned by My apostles, so I had to go to the cross alone. So don’t miss My key point found in all three of My stories Luke brings together for you (Luke 15:1-32), especially the one I want you to focus on today: the story of the lost coin. Here’s My key point for My disciples who are willing to join Me in searching for those who are lost: There is joy in the presence of all God’s messengers over even one sinner who changes his way of life. Verses to Live I don’t need to spend many words today to help you see My key point. Don’t miss learning it, being moved by it, and putting it into practice. Notice especially a few words that powerfully emphasize this key point of each of My stories: Search! Diligently! Found! Celebrate! Joy! All! Even one! Jesus (with another parable): Or imagine a woman who has 10 silver coins. She loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the whole house, and search diligently until that coin is found? And when she finds it, doesn’t she invite her friends and neighbors and say, “Celebrate with me! I’ve found that silver coin that I lost”? Can’t you understand? There is joy in the presence of all God’s messengers over even one sinner who changes his way of life. (Luke 15:8-10) Response in Prayer O Father, thank You for the joy of seeing (please use specific names here) being brought to Christ and being saved. I ask that You use me to be an encouragement and help to others (specifically mention them by name), so that they will come to Jesus and we can share in the celebration and joy of heaven together. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 29:2
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. —Psalm 29:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Giving glory, ascribing the glory God is due, is not easy for us with our mortal limitations and self-focused ambitions. Let’s admit it: We are self-focused and limited compared to God’s glorious limitlessness! We’re much more accustomed to asking for things for ourselves from God that we think we need than we are focused on praising and thanking God while inviting others to join us in adoring him. Let’s use the rest of this week to pray with thanksgiving and praise, glorifying God’s holy name while not asking for things for ourselves. Let’s try it together! We can choose a day this week and spend an hour praising, adoring, reverencing, and thanking God for who he is, what he has done, and his promises to us. We won’t ask for anything from God during this time. We want this hour to focus on God and what He has done, ascribing to him the glory due him while worshiping him in the splendor of his holiness! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, we praise you. You are marvelous and magnificent beyond the power of my earthbound words to describe and praise. Despite my human limitations, you have loved me as I am and are transforming with increasing likeness to be like your Son.* Thank you for sending him to help me glimpse your glory and anticipate seeing you face to face in eternal glory. Thank you for living inside me through your Holy Spirit and doing your work in me. I praise you for sustaining me and those I love with your grace. I thank you, dear LORD, in Jesus’ name. Amen. * 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Joy at Finding What Is Lost
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, In the verses today and the next two days, you will find three of My stories — often called parables — about lost things and lost people. Luke collects them together, and you can find them in one powerful chapter of his gospel (Luke 15:1-32). To understand these stories, you need to notice the situation as Luke describes it in his first two verses (Luke 15:1-2). People who were not normally religious were hearing the call of God and following Me — truly following Me by turning their lives to God and living the character and compassion I was calling them to display in their lives. On the other hand, other people who were normally considered to very religious were critical of Me for having fellowship with these sinners and devoting so much of My time and energy to reaching and teaching them and entering into table fellowship with them. I told these three stories to speak to these issues. I wanted everyone to know that I love all people. That’s why you have seen Me in the houses of Pharisees sharing meals with them and also healing a synagogue ruler’s daughter and healing a Roman soldier’s servant. It is also why you have seen Me welcome outcasts and the unclean into My fellowship and why I called Matthew — considered to be a sinner because he was a tax collector — to be one of My twelve apostles. You also see men and women, young and old, rich and impoverished, well and sick, powerful and powerless, all receive My attention and My grace. I have recently reminded you that people count most and that the Father sent Me to give My life on the cross as a ransom for sinners. So as you read My three stories about lost things (a sheep and a coin) and lost people (two sons), remember why I told these three stories. I wanted everyone to know why I joyfully welcomed sinners to repentance and into My fellowship. I also wanted the outwardly religious to know that they could be just as lost as those they counted as worse sinners than themselves and that their hard hearts toward the sinners who repent indicated this lostness no matter how religious their lives seemed. But as most folks know, telling the hard truth directly to your critics seldom gets to their hearts. They tend to raise their defenses and get ready to come back at you rather than listening to you. So I told stories — stories from the way of life these people recognized. These stories remind you that lost people need My grace and when they are found, there is rejoicing in heaven. Verses to Live Today you are going to read a simple story about a lost sheep. For many families during My earthly ministry, any lost sheep was a huge loss and could not be allowed. Know that you, dear friend, are much more important to Me and to the Father than any sheep could be to a shepherd. So imagine the joy when the lost sheep was found. That joy pales in comparison to the joy of heaven when any lost person turns to Me. Jesus became increasingly popular among notorious sinners — tax collectors and other social outcasts. The Pharisees and religious scholars noticed this. Pharisees and Religious Scholars: This man welcomes immoral people and enjoys their company over a meal! Jesus (with another parable): Wouldn’t every single one of you, if you have 100 sheep and lose one, leave the 99 in their grazing lands and go out searching for the lost sheep until you find it? When you find the lost sheep, wouldn’t you hoist it up on your shoulders, feeling wonderful? And when you go home, wouldn’t you call together your friends and neighbors? Wouldn’t you say, “Come over and celebrate with me, because I’ve found my lost sheep”? This is how it is in heaven. They’re happier over one sinner who changes his way of life than they are over 99 good and just people who don’t need to change their ways of life. (Luke 15:1-7) Response in Prayer Father, I am touched by two truths of this simple parable and the reason Jesus told it. First, I am reminded just how precious I am to You and why You paid such a high price to save me. No words are adequate to express my deepest appreciation, but please know that I thank You for welcoming me into Your family and rejoicing with the angels when I came to Jesus. Also, dear Father, I am convicted of how deeply you care about the lost around me and I know you have placed me in the relationships that I have so that I can help them meet Jesus and follow Him. Please help me, dear Father, to keep my heart open to the lost around me so that I can help them find Jesus, in Whose name I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – 2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. —2 Corinthians 12:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While other preachers in Paul’s day were parading and bragging about their credentials, Paul refused to get into such self-centered contests to prove he was the most impressive of Jesus’ disciples. Even though he had the religious education and Jewish pedigree to silence his rivals, he preferred to acknowledge the areas of his weakness where God triumphed over his limitations. God had taught Paul that heaven’s power was most on display in Paul’s weakness, like Jesus’ power over the evil one, which he demonstrated through the cross — the ultimate sign of weakness (Colossians 2:12-15). God demonstrated his power through what Paul did in his weakness so the glory could go to God! Let’s be careful about determining someone’s ministryworthiness based on his or her resume or reputation. Instead, let’s honor people in whom God’s grace has triumphed through their weakness! My Prayer… Almighty and loving Father, thank you for sustaining and enabling me to serve you in ways I would never have dreamed of doing. Please help me serve you faithfully as I depend upon your grace in my weakness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
The Great Invitation
Note from Jesus Dear Seeker, Yesterday, I warned about one false way to approach My invitation to the table of grace — you should not come with a haughty and self-important attitude. You need to come to My Table with humility demonstrated in a life of serving others. You need to come looking for others who need to be at My table of grace. Today, I am warning you of another false approach: You can take My offer of grace lightly. You can forget how blessed you are to be invited and find other things that feel more important to you at the moment and put off My invitation of grace. Please understand, there is nothing more important in your life at any time than accepting My invitation to share in the Father’s grace. Nothing! Yes, I know there are important things going on in your life right now. I know there are people who may not understand why responding to My invitation is so important. There may even be people who have their feelings hurt when you choose to respond to My invitation. There may be others who ridicule you or reject you completely for your choice to accept My invitation and follow Me. However, I want you to hear Me. I am journeying to Jerusalem when I share the message in the verses below. I know I am going there to die for the sins of the people — including your sins. I am going to sacrifice Myself — My dignity and My life — for you. Once you understand this, you need to respond immediately to My invitation if you have not already done so. There is nothing more important. I gave Myself to give you a place at My table of grace; don’t spurn My invitation by assuming you have time later to respond. Today is the day of your invitation. Don’t reject the grace that is offered you, today! If you have accepted My invitation, then please always remember the price I paid to give you a place at My table. Verses to Live I love Doctor Luke because he talks about My ministry around food. The first paragraph in the verses below includes one of these references to table fellowship (Luke 14:1) and serves as an introduction to today’s message. I have spent both yesterday and today teaching you about the grace of joining Me at My table and reminding you of those you should include — friends, critics, opponents, the marginalized, and the lost. Today’s message, dear seeker, is especially important for you. Some with whom I share this message have never really accepted the grace I came to provide. Others have never really committed themselves to the life of discipleship. Others have treated My invitation of grace with disrespect. Please hear My urgent words to you in the verses that follow! Another Sabbath Day came and Jesus was invited to an official’s home for a meal. This fellow was a leader of the Pharisees, and Jesus was still under close surveillance by them. … Guest: Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God! Jesus: A man once hosted a huge banquet and invited many guests. When the time came, he sent his servant to tell the guests who had agreed to come, “We’re ready! Come now!” But then every single guest began to make excuses. One said, “Oh, I’m sorry. I just bought some land, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.” Another said, “So sorry. I just bought five pairs of oxen. I need to go check them out. Please excuse me.” Another said, “I just got married, so I can’t come.” The servant returned and reported their responses to his master. His master was angry and told the servant, “Go out quickly to the streets and alleys around town and bring the poor, the amputees, the blind, and the cripples.” The servant came back again: “Sir, I’ve done as you said, but there is still more room.” And the host said, “Well then, go out to the highways and hedges and bring in the complete strangers you find there, until my house is completely full. One thing is for sure, not one single person on the original guest list shall enjoy this banquet.” (Luke 14:1; Luke 14:15-24) Response in Prayer Almighty God, I accept the offer of grace You have given Me in Jesus! I believe Jesus is Your Son, the long-promised Christ, the Messiah of Israel, and Lord and Savior of the world. I believe Jesus died for my sins, that He was buried, and that He rose on the third day, defeating the power of sin and death to control me. So I commit to following Jesus passionately and doing what He asks of me and rejoicing in His grace shared with me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Romans 5:9-10
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! —Romans 5:9-10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus did more than die for our sins; he lives as our resurrected LORD. So, since God emptied heaven of the Son, had him die on the cross for our sins, and then raised him from the dead to save us, imagine what God has in store for us now that he has saved us! We have only seen the beginnings of God’s love for us, and even though what we have seen is amazing, God will do more than we can ask or imagine for us through the power and presence of our resurrected LORD and Savior, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that he gives us (Ephesians 3:20-21). My Prayer… Holy LORD, we look forward to the day we get to see you and experience your grace in all its glory when we meet Jesus in that glory.* Please inspire us to be courageous and confident when facing challenges in the future. We want to live faithfully and victoriously before others, knowing Jesus is alive forever for us. Father, we believe that the best of what Jesus wants to do in us and through us lies ahead, so use us to your glory. In Jesus’ name, we know we are forgiven as we pray confidently and anticipate our future glory with him. Amen. * This prayer was inspired by Colossians 3:1-4.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Who Sits at Your Table of Grace?
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, You have been blessed with great honor to be included at My table of grace! When you come and remember Me at what you call “the Lord‘s Table” and share in what some of you call “Holy Communion” (“the Eucharist” or “the Lord‘s Supper”), please remember how precious the opportunity is for you and all who share this sacred feast. While the events you read about in the verses below happened as I was working My way to Jerusalem and My crucifixion, Luke recorded this story for you. So I want you to place yourself at the table and hear the words that I say as if I addressed them specifically to you. When you come to My table and participate in communion, remember the following two key messages that I shared long ago and know that I want them to be fresh in your mind each time you come to My table! So what are these two messages? First, be thankful you have received My invitation of grace and are invited to sit at My table as part of My family. Don’t try to make yourself seem important. In My family, those trying to appear special and be publically honored as important will be sent to a lower place of importance. I value those who serve others with humility and grace. I value the person who gives of himself or herself to bless others. Such a person is honored in My family and at My table. Remember, I gave Myself for you to invite you to My table. Your life should reflect the character and compassion that I have shown you! Second, when you share in the grace of My table, ask yourself who needs to be there but is absent. Ask yourself who in the world around you — in your neighborhood, in your inner city, in your workplace, and on your street corners — needs this grace. My meal is not intended to be for a clique of people who feel they are superior to others. My table is a place to give thanks for the grace that brought you to My table. My table is a reminder to extend My grace to those who don’t know the acceptance, love, and grace of My family. My beloved disciple, John, described it this way: My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate Who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the One Who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins — and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1 John 2:1-2 NLT) So who in your world needs to know about My grace and join us at My table? Just as I made room at My table of grace for you, please extend that grace to others! Verses to Live Luke’s words of introduction set the stage for today’s message. This message focuses on a series of My teachings on eating and sharing table fellowship. Remember, as you read these words, they need to be fresh, newly spoken by Me directly to your heart! Another Sabbath Day came and Jesus was invited to an official’s home for a meal. This fellow was a leader of the Pharisees, and Jesus was still under close surveillance by them. … He noticed how the guests were jockeying for places of honor at the dinner, so He gave them advice. Jesus: Whenever someone invites you to a wedding dinner, don’t sit at the head table. Someone more important than you might also have been invited, and your host will have to humiliate you publicly by telling you to give your seat to the other guest and to go find an open seat in the back of the room. Instead, go and sit in the back of the room. Then your host may find you and say, “My friend! Why are you sitting back here? Come up to this table near the front!” Then you will be publicly honored in front of everyone. Listen, if you lift yourself up, you’ll be put down, but if you humble yourself, you’ll be honored. Jesus still wasn’t finished. Now He turned to the host who had invited Him to this gathering. Jesus: When you host a dinner or banquet, don’t invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors. If you do, they might invite you to a party of their own, and you’ll be repaid for your kindness. Instead, invite the poor, the amputees, the cripples, the blind. Then you’ll be blessed because they can never repay you. Your reward will come from God at the resurrection of the just and good. (Luke 14:1; Luke 14:7-14) Response in Prayer O God, my loving heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace. Thank You for inviting me to the table of Your grace, an invitation given to me through Jesus’ sacrifice. Forgive me when I take the Supper without recognizing that I am a part of the family at Jesus’ table because of grace, not because of my religious pedigree or my own earned righteousness. Holy Spirit, when I come to the Table, please stir my heart and remind me to invite others to the Lord‘s Table of grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Hard to Truly Follow
Note from Jesus Dear Follower, Follower… what an interesting term to use with you. To truly follow Me means becoming My disciple. A disciple is a person who spends her or his lifetime learning to live like Me. There is no cost too great to pay. Now in your day, you can “follow” someone on Twitter® or Facebook® and not even be a real friend. What you really mean in your world about being a “follower” is that you are just an observer — you can hang around, listen in on conversations, wander in and out of connection with someone, and generally do with that relationship whatever you choose. Not so with “following” Me! If you are going to follow Me, it’s going to cost you because you have to put Me first in… everything. You have to commit to have My character become your character, to have My compassion become your compassion, and to having My story become your story. The problem with following Me is that you inevitably have to face a cross of some kind. You have to resign from living for yourself and commit to being willing to live and possibly even die for Me and My work. So I am focusing on My words below on the importance of counting the cost of following Me. It will cost you everything… including yourself! Are you ready to pay that cost? I know that many churches and preachers in your day tell you about all the perks in following Me and being a part of their church. Unfortunately, they are sometimes talking only about superficial perks, not the truly costly and transformational blessings of following me. It’s almost as if they have to tease and entice you into following Me. But don’t buy the deception. It’s hard following Me. I call you to surrender your life to Me and to My movement. Count the cost. The cost is high. I use extreme language to drive home My point because there is something I cannot tolerate — something that critics of folks claiming to be My followers can’t tolerate — and that is folks who do not live up to what they tell everyone else they must do. Don’t be like salt that loses its taste and is worthless. You are called to make a difference in your world as My follower. So count the cost… but never forget, because I paid the high cost of the cross, I made sure through the resurrection that any cost you pay is well worth your investment! Verses to Live I always had a tug-of-war going on in My heart over the crowds. They were fickle. Most in the crowd didn’t believe; they wanted to see My miracles and be along for the spectacle, but they didn’t want to pay the price to follow Me. So I often used strong words to back them off or send them home… unless they saw that I had come from God and they truly wanted to follow Me. What are you going to do with these hard words? Great crowds joined Him [Jesus] on His journey, and He turned to them. Jesus: If any of you come to Me without hating your own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and yes, even your own life, you can’t be My disciple. If you don’t carry your own cross as if to your own execution as you follow Me, you can’t be part of My movement. Just imagine that you want to build a tower. Wouldn’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to be sure you have enough to finish what you start? If you lay the foundation but then can’t afford to finish the tower, everyone will mock you: “Look at that guy who started something that he couldn’t finish!” Or imagine a king gearing up to go to war. Wouldn’t he begin by sitting down with his advisors to determine whether his 10,000 troops could defeat the opponent’s 20,000 troops? If not, he’ll send a peace delegation quickly and negotiate a peace treaty. In the same way, if you want to be My disciple, it will cost you everything. Don’t underestimate that cost! Don’t be like salt that has lost its taste. How can its saltiness be restored? Flavorless salt is absolutely worthless. You can’t even use it as fertilizer, so it’s worth less than manure! Don’t just listen to My words here. Get the deeper meaning. (Luke 14:25-35) Response in Prayer O Father, I know following Jesus will be filled with hard challenges, not just the challenges of normal life, but also the challenges that Jesus’ enemies and Satan’s allies will throw in my path. Even so, dear Father, I truly want to follow Jesus… to become like Him in how He lived with character and compassion. So I ask for the strengthening of the Holy Spirit to give me added courage and endurance as the Spirit works at conforming me to Jesus, my Teacher, Savior, and Lord, in Whose name I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.