Consider The Cost

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A mother planning dinner for her family while trying to maintain the household budget considers the cost of the ingredients of the meal she plans. A carpenter carefully measures and plans for the necessary supplies he needs before building a house to manage the cost. Every decision that is made must be compared to the alternative and the cost of its consequences. A wise man considers the cost in all things; not just for the present but also the future. How foolish a man would be to think himself wise to view the possessions he can see but yet give no consideration to the neglect of his soul.

If in the drive to gain in the here-and-now, we neglect the growth and life of our soul, which is the part that longs for God, then we have gained nothing. Earthly wealth whether monetary or as the pursuit for personal gratification, will eventually turn to dust. Eternity is a long time to carry around pockets full of dust! The most profitable of investors goes to an expert in the area that he wishes to invest. Doesn't it make sense to consult the ‘Wonderful Counselor’ for the most important investment of our lives?

The bible says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you (Luke 12:31).” No bank in the world can ever yield a better return than that! To invest in Christ means to give up your own control and to give up self; self-promotion, self-centeredness, self-preservation, self-sufficiency, self-loathing, self-doubt, self-self. It is a choice. You can choose not to sacrifice self but everyone will sacrifice something, if not self than soul. It can’t work both ways no matter what the devil tries to make you believe. You can’t have it all unless you give it all. Give all of yourself to him. Give all your guilt, shame, pride, superiority, fear, worry, doubt, jealously, pettiness, control or any other controlling substance in your life. Loose control to gain freedom, it’s worth the cost!





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Unlikely Vessel

                          

At fifty years old John found himself looking back on his life with much regret and guilt. Memories of the pain and destruction that resulted from his bad decisions opened the flood gates of shame that overwhelmed him with such great anguish that he began to spiral into a deep depression. He didn’t mean to lie. It just sort of happened and the next thing he knew, this deception took on a life of it’s own while forever changing his-and hers! For years even after the affair the lies continued and wounds grew deeper. Over the years he tried to “make it up to her” by working hard and providing a good life for her and their new baby girl. The only problem was that he could never work hard enough to cancel out all the guilt he felt for all the pain he caused. Living under the weight of his guilt and shame for so many years took a toll on his emotional health and deep depression began to consume his life.
                                 

Depression can manifest itself in several different ways but the ultimate result is the same-total destruction! In John’s case, anger was the main symptom. Outward appearances would make it seem as if he was mad at the world; being easily provokes to outbursts of hostility. Yet, inwardly the anger grew only toward himself and how he could have done such hurtful things against those that he loved so much-his wife and daughter! That inward anger was slowly eating away at his soul, leaving his emotional health very susceptible to satan’s attacks-and attack he did!