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Wednesday, November 8, 2000

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Philippians 2:12-18
Psalm 27
Luke 14:25-33

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a calculated risk?

"If one of you decides to build a tower, will he not first sit down and calculate the outlay to see if he has enough money to complete the project?" —Luke 14:28

Jesus commands us to "first sit down and calculate the outlay." To be a Christian is easy and light insofar as the Lord will give us the grace to do His will (see Mt 11:30). Nevertheless, the Christian life is a yoke and a burden (Mt 11:30). We must give everything in order to live it (see Mt 13:44, 46).

Are you willing to give everything to Jesus? Will you turn your back on everyone, including your ego, to be Jesus' disciple? (Lk 14:26) Will you die to self, suffer, and take up the cross each day to be a disciple of the crucified and risen Lord? (see Lk 14:27) Will you renounce all your possessions and use them only as Master Jesus directs you as His disciple? (Lk 14:33)

Many Christians have never sat down and calculated the demands of the Christian life. Therefore, they have never decided to meet those demands. Their lives are half-built towers and failed wars (see Lk 14:29-31). The Lord does not want us to dabble in the Christian life. He wants us hot or even cold, but not lukewarm (Rv 3:16). Therefore, "first sit down and calculate the outlay." Because of Jesus' crucified, perfect love for you, choose to be a Christian on Jesus' terms. Love Jesus "with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind" (Lk 10:27).

Prayer:  Father, may zeal for Your house consume me (Jn 2:17; Ps 69:10).

Promise:  "Prove yourselves innocent and straightforward, children of God beyond reproach in the midst of a twisted and depraved generation — among whom you shine like the stars in the sky while holding fast to the word of life." —Phil 2:15-16

Praise:  Don's commitment to Jesus was such that at an age when most are leaving the profession, he went back to school to earn a teaching degree in order to impact the lives of young people and bring Christ into the classroom.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 24, 2000


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 27, 2000